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COFVKIGHT DEPOSIT. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

A Text Book of State History 

Jar use in 

Elementary Schools 



T/Mr 



c;h/McClure. a.m. 

Head of History Department 

State Teachers College 
Warrens bur gy Missouri 



THE A. S. BARNES COMPANY 

Laidlaw Brothers 

Educational Publishers 

CHICAGO NEW YORK 



^^(cU 



n\ 



2.5" 



Copyright, 1920 
By the a. S. BARNES COMPANY 



m 22 1921 



PRINTED AND BOUND fiY 

QEOROe BANTA PUBLISHING CO. 

MANUFACTUBINQ PUBLISHERS 

MENA9HA, WISCONSIN 

5^ H! A f^ n s 7 7 n 



PREFACE 

Much has been said and written recently concerning the 
teaching of Citizenship. History has long been recognized as 
a subject which has great value for this purpose. The desire 
to make loyal citizens of our boys and girls gave History a 
place in our public schools soon after the Civil War. 

For some reason the results obtained in the teaching of 
History have not been as satisfactory from the standpoint 
of good citizenship as is desirable. The author believes that 
one of the chief reasons for the failure to realize these prac- 
tical results is to be found in both the method and material 
used in our teaching of History. Good citizenship consists 
largely in the ability of an individual to adjust himself to the 
community environment in which he lives. Any community 
is what it is because of its past. To understand a community 
it is necessary to know its History. But our Historians 
usually begin with Columbus, a native of a foreign country 
and of a different age, and they seldom get closer to the 
environment of the child than Massachusetts. The well 
established pedagogical principle of proceeding from the 
known to the unknown is ignored. A noted educator has 
said, "We should begin with the boy, where he is, while he is 
there." State History furnishes the material which connects 
the life of the child and the local community with events of 
historical importance in our national life. The growth and 
development of Missouri is especially closely related to the 
development of the nation 

In the study of Part IV such chapters as "The Co-opera- 
tive Work Done Through the State" and "The Co-operative 
Work Done Through Voluntary Organizations," brings the 
child into contact with many things that affect his local 



iv ' PREFACE 

community. Such topics as the Farm Bureau, The State 
Board of Health, or The Tuberculosis Association, will give 
the teacher the opportunity to use the work done along these 
lines in the community and secure some real historical re- 
search work from the boys and girls. 

In writing I have tried to keep in mind the things that 
affect the lives of people in their community groups. If the 
book tends, as it is hoped it will, to give the boys and girls of 
Missouri a better appreciation of their State; to help them to 
understand their environment; to make them realize that 
they are living in one of the best places in the world; to 
anchor them to their own community; in fact, to make them 
better citizens of the great Central State of the Greatest 
Nation on earth, I shall be satisfied. 

I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to the many 
friends for their aid in the preparation of the work. Special 
mention should be made of Mr. E. M. Carter, Secretary of 
the State Teachers' Association at whose suggestion the 
work was undertaken; of Mr. Floyd Shoemaker, Secretary of 
the State Historical Society of Missouri, whose article on the 
Six Periods of Missouri History furnished the outline for the 
organization of the book, and who has aided in many ways; 
to Professor W. W. Parker, Head of the English Department 
of the Central Missouri State Teachers' College, who read the 
manuscript; to Hon. Walter B. Stevens and the Missouri 
Historical Society for permission to use illustrations; to the 
Political Science Department of the University of Missouri 
and to D. C. Heath and Company for the use of maps; to 
Hon. Sam A. Baker, State Superintendent of Schools, who 
gave valuable suggestions; and finally to many of the stud- 
ents in my classes in Missouri State History who aided in 
the research work. 

October, 1920. The Author. 



CONTENTS 

PARTI 

Missouri Before 1820 

PAGE 

Chapter I. Discovery and Exploration i 

I . The Spanish i 

1. The French i 

3. Exploration 1 

Chapter II. Settlement 1732-1S04 4 

1 . French 4 

2. Spanish z, 

3. Settlement During the Spanish Period. 1763-1804 6 

4. New Settlements 8 

Chapter III. Life of the People During the 

Spanish Period 12 

1. Villages 12 

2. Social Life 13 

3. Government 13 

4. The American Settlers 13 

5. Missouri Becomes American Territory 14 

Chapter IV. Missouri a Territory 1804-1820 16 

1. District of Louisiana 16 

2. Territory of Louisiana 16 

Chapter V. Settlements 21 

1. Immigration 21 

2. New Settlements 22 

3. Indians 23 

4. American Energy 24 

5. The Social Life 24 

6. River Traffic 25 

V 



vi CONTENTS 

PART II 

Missouri a Pioneer State 1820-18^6 

PAGE 

Chapter I. Introduction to the Story of Mis- 
souri Statehood 27 

I. Introductory Story a8 

1. Importance of Missouri's History 28 

3. Missouri the Center of Nation Wide Events and Movements 29 

4. Free Silver 32 

5. The Central State 32 

6. Rivers 32 

7. Soil and Other Natural Resources I,!, 

8. The Heritage of Missouri Boys and Girls 2)2> 

Chapter II. Missouri's Struggle for Statehood i^k, 

1. General Survey 35 

2. Petitions 35 

3. First Missouri Bill 2)^ 

4. More Petitions 37 

5. Second Missouri Bill 38 

6. Forming a Constitution 38 

7. The Second Missouri Compromise 40 

8. Clay's Committee 41 

9. The News Received in Missouri 42 

10. The Solemn Public Act, 43 

Chapter III. Political Annals 1 820-1 836 45 

1 . The First Election 45 

2. State Capital Selected 47 

3. Appointive State Officers 48 

4. Election of 1 824 50 

5. The Beginning of Political Parties 52 

6. The Election of 1828 52 

7. Election of 1 830 53 

8. Election of 1 832 54 

9. Effort to Obtain a New Constitution 56 

10. The Election of 1 836 57 



CONTENTS vii 

PAGE 

Chapter IV. Economic and Social Develop- 
ment 1 820-1 836 59 

1. Growth 59 

2. St. Louis 61 

3. The Fur Trade 62 

4. The Sante Fe Trade and Trail 64 

5. Money and Banks 67 

6. The Steamboat Traffic 68 

7. Indians 69 

8. Schools, Churches and Lodges .• 71 

9. Manners and Customs 72 

PART III 

Missouri a State in the Makiiig iSjd-iSyo 

Chapter I. General Survey 75 

1 . The New Epoch 75 

2. Beginning of the Period 76 

3. General Progress 76 

4. Economic Development 77 

5. Social Development 77 

6. Education 7^ 

7. The Civil War 79 

8. The Aim 79 

Chapter II. Political Annals 1836-1860 81 

1 . Election of 1 840 81 

2. The Split in Missouri Democracy 84 

3. The Election of 1 844 84 

4. The Election of 1848 86 

5. The Jackson Resolutions 87 

6. A New Issue in Missouri Politics 87 

7. Benton's Appeal to the People 89 

8. Benton and Anti-Benton 89 

9. The Election of 1 850 9° 

10. The Defeat of Senator Benton 91 

\ II. The F.lecrion of 1852 9^ 

12. The Elecrion of 1854 93 



viii CONTENTS 

PAGE 

13. The Election of 1856 94 

14. The Election of i860 96 

15. The Presidential Election ot i860 in Missouri 9y 

Chapter III. Economic Progress 1836-1870 100 

1 . Steamboats and River Trade 100 • 

2. Railroads 103 

3. Money and Banking •. . . . 108 

Chapter IV. Social Progress 1836-1870 112 

1 . The Platte Purchase 112 

2. The Mormons Driven from the State 113 

3. Increase in Population 116 

4. New Counties 117" 

5. Growth of Cities 119 

6. Education 1 20 

7. Education — High Schools 122 

8. Education — Universities and Colleges 123 

9. Religion 123 

10. Missouri and the West 124 

11. Slavery in Missouri 127- 

12. Kansas Border Trouble 128 

Chapter V. Political Annals 1860-1870 131 

1. The Twenty-first General Assembly 131 

2. The Convention 132 

3. The Provisional Government 134 

4. Difficulties of the New Government 135 

5. First Test Oath for Voters 135 

6. Emancipation 136 

7. The Radical Convention 138 

8. The Constitutional Convention of i86«; 140 

9. The Rule of the Radicals 141 

10. The Rise of the Liberal Republican Party 142 

Chapter VI. The Civil War 146 

1. The Arsenal at St. Louis 146 

2. Camp Jackson I49 

3. The Price-Harney Agreement 1 50 

4. The Conference at St. Louis 151 



CONTENTS ix 

PAGE 

5. Military Operations 152 

6. The Battle of Carthage 154 

7. Lyon's Difficulties 155 

8. Battle of Wilson Creek 157 

9. Battle of Pea Ridge 158 

10. Price's Raid 159 

11. The Local Struggle 160 

PART IV 

Missouri a Modem State iSjo-igzo 

Chapter I. General Survey 164 

Chapter II. Political /■Annals i 870-1920 16S 

1. The Two Phases of the Period 168 

2. Reconstruction Problems. 1870-1876 168 

3. Governor Woodson 169 

4. The Democratic Party in 1874 170 

<;. Governor Hardin 171 

6. The Rule of the Civil War Veterans. 1 876-1 888 172 

7. Governor Crittenden 174 

8. John S. Marmaduke 171; 

9. The Rule ol the Young Democracy. 1 888-1904 176 

10. Governor Francis 176 

1 1 . Governor Stone 177 

1 2. Governor Stephens 178 

13. Governor Dockery 179 

14. Missouri a Doubtful State. 1904-1920 180 

1 5. Governor Folk 1 80 

16. Governor Hadley 181 

17. Governor Major 182 

18. Governor Gardner 182 

Chapter III. The Constitution of 1875-1920. . . . 18^ 

1. The Resolution Calling a Convention 185 

2. The Delegates 185 

3. Background of Our Constitution 186 

4. The Limitations on the Courts 187 

5. Limitation on the Legislature 188 

6. Rate of Taxation 188 



X CONTENTS 

PAGE 

7. The Bond 189 

8. The Constitution 190 

9. Amendments 190 

10. Conclusion 191 

Chapter IV. Co-operative Work Through the 

State 193 

I. Co-operation 193 

1. State Institutions I94 

3. Educational Institutions 195 

4. Eleemosynary Institutions 196 

5. Penal Institutions 197 

6. State Boards and Commissions 198 

7. Missouri State Board of Health 199 

8. State Board of Agriculture 202 

9. State Tax Commission 202 

10. Public Service Commission 203 

1 1 . State Highway Board 205 

12. Land Reclamation Department 205 

13. State Historical Society 205 

14. The State Capitol Commission Board 206 

15. Missouri a Modern State 207 

Chapter V. Co-operative Work of Voluntary 

Organizations , 209 

1 . Corporations 209 

2. Other Volunteer Organizations 210 

3. State Teachers' Association 211 

4. State Agricultural Association 212 

5. The Farm Bureau 213 

6. The Missouri Farmers' Association 213 

7. Farmers' Exchange Association 214 

8. Organized Labor 214 

9. Federation of Missouri Commercial Clubs 214 

10. The Red Cross 215 

1 1. Missouri Tuberculosis Association 215 

12. The Missouri Historical Society 217 

13. The Missouri Press Association 217 

14. The Missouri State Medical Association 218 



CONTENTS xi 

PAGE 

15. Woman's Christian Temperance Union 219 

16. Woman's Suffrage Organizations 220 

1 7. The League of W'onien Voters ■. 222 

18. Other Organizations 222 

Chapter VI. Missouri and the Great War 223 

1 . The Missouri National Guard 225 

2. The Eighty-ninth Division 228 

3. Other Missouri Units 229 

4. Missourians in All Units 229 

5. Decorations and War Crosses 231 

6. Pershing and Crowder 233 

7. Other Leaders in the War 237 

8. The Work of Missouri at Home 237 

9. Food Production 239 

Chapter VII. Missouri Writers 241 

1 . Mark Twain 24 1 

2. Eugene Field 243 

3. Harold Bell Wright 245 

4. Other Missouri Writers 246 

Chapter VIII. Missouri Newspapers 248 

1. Importance of the Press 248 

2. Early Missouri Newspapers 249 

3. The Republic 251 

4. The Globe-Democrat 254 

5. The Post-Dispatch 256 

6. The Kansas City Star 258 

7. Other City Newspapers 260 

8. The Country Newspapers 260 

!9. Missouri's Contribution 261 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



PART I 

MISSOURI BEFORE 1820 

CHAPTER I 

DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION 1641-1732 

The Spanish. The part of the great Mississippi- valley 
now known as Missouri was probably first seen by white men 
when De Soto's expedition entered the southeastern part 
of the State in 1541. According to Mr. Houck, he came as 
far north as Cape Girardeau. Here he took part in some 
Indian wars and then moved back southwest into what is 
now Arkansas. He turned northwest and followed the 
divide running west through Springfield. He followed this 
directly to the western part of the State. Here he turned 
back south into Arkansas. De Soto is unimportant so far 
as Missouri history is concerned except to mark the begin- 
ning. 

The French. After the departure of De Soto no white 
man came to this section of the valley for one hundred and 
seventeen years. In 1659 two French traders, Radisson and 
Groseilliers, travelling westward from the St. Lawrence, 
crossed into the Mississippi valley. Then they crossed the 
Mississippi River and went on westward. The route they 
followed from the Mississippi toward the Missouri is not 
definitely known, but it is probable they crossed the country 



1 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

between the two rivers as far south as the northern boundary 
of Missouri. 

JoHet and Marquette were the next white men to see 
Missouri soil. They passed down the Mississippi River in 
the year 1673 to a point farther south than the southern 
boundary of the State. They may have landed on the 
western bank of the river at times, both in going down the 
river and on their return. 

The expedition of Joliet and Marquette was followed in 
1682 by that of La Salle. La Salle followed the Mississippi 
River to its mouth and returned to Canada. He, therefore, 
had to pass along the eastern border of the State twice in 
making his trip. After his expedition the visits of French- 
men from Canada became frequent and in a few years some 
of the Canadian-French moved to the Mississippi valley to 
live. They settled in villages^ on the eastern bank of the 
Mississippi. Thus the settlements were in Illinois instead 
of in Missouri. 

Exploration. There must have been a number of 
people, curious to find out all they could about the country, 
who crossed the river and made exploring trips and hunting 
trips into Missouri. One of these explorers named Du 
Tisne^ started to go up the Missouri River. He got only 

^ Cahokia, a few miles south of East St. Louis, was established in 1699; 
Kaskaskia at the mouth of the Kaskaskia River in 1700; Fort Chartres, 
1720; St. Philippe, 1723; and Prairie Du Rocher in 1733. The three last 
named villages were between the Kaskaskia River and the Mississippi a 
few miles from Kaskaskia. 

2 The following story was told of Du Tisne: He was captured by the 
Indians and placed in the midst of a group while they were deciding what 
to do with him. It appeared from the talk that he would be killed for his 
scalp. Now Du Tisne was a very bald headed man and wore a wig. 
Catching enough of their conversation to understand what they were 



DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION 1641-1732 3 

about as far as the mouth of the Gasconade when the 
Indians forced him back. He floated down the Mississippi 
to Kaskaskia and landed on the western bank of the river. 
From there he traveled west across the hills and streams 
until he came to the prairies in the western part of the State, 
He then turned north and came to the Missouri River near 
where Kansas City now stands. From there he floated down 
the river to the French settlements on the Mississippi. 
There were other expeditions of this kind. In this way the 
country on the west side of the river became well known. 
These early settlers found that there was lead and salt on 
the Missouri side of the river. They crossed over to make 
salt and to work in the lead mines back in the hills. 

In 1723 the French Government sent an expedition led by 
Captain De Bourgmont up the Missouri River to build a 
fort. The fort was named Orleans and was probably located 
on the southern bank of the river near Malta Bend in Saline 
County. Fort Orleans was destroyed by the Indians in 1726. 



talking about he appeared to become very angry. He told them he would 
scalp himself. Grabbing his wig, he jerked it off and threw it on the 
ground in their midst. The Indians were so surprised that a man could 
scalp himself and still live that they thought him some kind of superior 
being and gave him presents and allowed him to go free. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 1 

1. What was the probable route of De Soto through Missouri? 

2. Why is De Soto's expedition mentioned in Missouri History? 

3. What two Frenchmen discovered the upper Mississippi River? 

4. What explorers passed down the Mississippi past Missouri? Give 
dat(3S. 

5. When the French first came to the Mississippi valley to live, where did 
they build their towns? 

6. Where did Du Tisne cross the State? 



CHAPTER II 

SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 

French. The first permanent settlement In Missouri 
was made at Ste. Genevieve, probably in 1732, at least as 
early as 1735. By that time there were about 5,000 white 
people and about 2,000 negro slaves in the whole Mississippi 
valley. The greater part lived on the eastern bank of the 
river in the Illinois country and around New Orleans near 
the mouth of the river. Fifteen years later the population 
had fallen off to 6,000. In 1764 a French merchant named 
Laclede established a trading post which he named St. 
Louis^ in honor of King Louis XV of France. Soon after 
St. Louis was founded, all the territory east of the Mississippi 
was transferred from France to England. When the French 
settlers learned of this transfer, a great number of them 

^ In the summer of 1763 Laclede had brought his family and the goods 
he -expected to trade to the Lidians for furs up the river from New Orleans 
as far as Fort Chartres, about sixty miles below St. Louis. He left his 
family and stores there. Taking a few of his men and his stepson, Auguste 
Chouteau, he set out to find a suitable place to build his house and store. 
He examined the west bank ot the river carefully from Ste. Genevieve to 
a point a few miles above the mouth of the Missouri. Most of the land 
was too low to suit him. Floating back down the river to a low bluff on 
the west bank, he landed. Having examined the country carefully, he 
blazed a tree, called his stepson, Auguste Chouteau, and said to him "As 
soon as the river is free from ice next spring you will lead a groupof work- 
men to this place and build a house." The next spring, February 15, 
1764 Auguste Chouteau, who was not yet fourteen years of age, landed 
with the workmen and began clearing the ground and was soon building 
the first house in St. Louis. 



SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 5 

moved across the river to Laclede's settlement. After this 
first movement of settlers across the river, the settlement 
grew very slowly. In 1790 there were only about 800 people 
living there. 




Pierre Laclede 
The Founder of St. Louis 
Bust in Merchants-Laclede Bank 
From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, 
by permission of the Missouri Histor- 
ical Society 



Spanish. By the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, 
at the same time the French ceded to England all their 
territory east of the Mississippi they gave the Spanish all of 



6 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

their territory west of the river. Thus the country that is 
now Missouri which formerly belonged to France came under 
Spanish control. When the Spanish took possession, there 
were only two settlements within the present limits of Mis- 
souri, Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis. 




AuGusTE Chouteau 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, 
by permission of the Missouri Historical Society 

Settlement During the Spanish Period 1763-1804. The 

Spanish during their control created five districts in what 
is now Missouri. These districts were units for governmen- 
tal purposes and became the first five counties when the 



SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 7 

country passed under American control. During the Span- 
ish period the population increased from about 1,000 to 
10,000. The increase was the result of two streams of 
immigration which flowed into the Missouri country from 
the east side of the river. The first was from the old French 
settlements on the Illinois side. There were three causes 
for this movement: i. The dissatisfaction of the French 
because the country east of the river was given to the Eng- 
lish in 1763. 2. The lack of sufficient government to protect 
life and property during and after the American Revolution- 
ary War while the country was ruled by the Continental 
Congress. 3. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 which 
prohibited slavery north of the Ohio River. This caused 
many of the French slave holders to move across the river. 

The second stream of immigration was the xAmericans 
from Kentucky and Tennessee. This was a part of the great 
westward movement of the American people which in the 
space of a little more than a hundred years has changed the 
American continent from a wilderness in which a few 
thousand Indians roamed, to a highly civilized country in 
which are the homes of more than 100,000,000 people. 
This great movement is well illustrated by the story of 
Daniel Boone- and his family. It might be equally well illus- 
trated by the family history of almost anyone who lives in 
Missouri. 

- Daniel Boone was born in Pennsylvania in the same year George 
Washington was born in Virginia, 1732. His father moved with his 
family of eleven children to western North CaroHna, following one of the 
valleys of the Allegheny Mountains. Daniel Boone married in North 
Carolina. He later moved to Kentucky where game was more plentiful. 
Here he lived for a nvmiber of years and reared a large family. One ot his 
sons, Daniel Morgan Boone, moved to Missouri and established a settle- 
ment on the north bank of the Missouri River about twenty miles west of 



8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

New Settlements. We shall consider the new settle- 
ments by districts beginning with St. Charles. The first 
settlement in the St. Charles District was founded about 
1780. The town was located on the north bank of the Mis- 
souri River about twenty miles from the Mississippi. The 
founder was a French-Canadian named Louis Blanchette. 
Portage Des Sioux^ was a French settlement established on 
the narrow tongue of land between the Missouri and Missis- 
sippi on the bank of the Missouri near its mouth. 

Another French settlment was located about fifty miles 
above St. Charles on the Missouri River at a place called 
LaCharette by the French, but now known as Marthasville. 
The American settlers did not live in villages as the French 
did, but lived in farm houses scattered along the creeks that 
flow into the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. 

The St. Louis District extended from the Missouri River 
on the north to the Meramec on the south. None of these 

St. Charles. Later Daniel Boone and many others of the Boone family 
followed his son, Daniel Morgan Boone, to Missouri where he lived until 
his death in 1820. He died in the house of his son Nathan Boone in Mar- 
thasville. This house is still standing. Members of the Boone family soon 
went up the Missouri River to the central part of the State to make salt. 
The country came to be known as Boone's Lick country. Boonville 
and Boone County were named in honor of the Boones. Members of the 
Daniel Boone family scattered through the central part of the State and 
many of his descendants are now living in Missouri. 

^ Portage Des Sioux got its name from an incident that occurred in an 
Indian war between the Sioux Indians and the Missouri Indians. The 
Sioux had invaded the Missouri's country near the mouth of the Osage. 
They had captured much booty and were escaping down the Missouri in 
their canoes. A force of the Missouri Indians laid an ambush for the Sioux 
at the mouth of the river. The Sioux learned of the Missouri's ambush; 
landed on the north bank of the river; carried their canoes across the 
narrow strip of land to the Mississippi and in that way avoided die 
Missouri's ambush. 



SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 9 

districts were limited on the west. St. Louis, the largest 
settlement in the district at the end of the Spanish period, 
1804, contained 171 houses and about 1,000 people. The 
French had a settlement at Carondelet about six miles 
south of the original settlement of St. Louis, but now within 
the southern part of the city. Another French settlement 
was located at Florissant about twelve miles northwest of 
St. Louis. It was established about 1785 and was in 1804 
the second town in the district in population. A fourth 
French settlement had been made at Creve Coeur on the 
southern bank of the Missouri west of Florissant. Point 
Labadie about forty-five miles above St. Louis on the south 
bank of the Missouri marked the westward extension of 
French settlements in the St. Louis district. The American 
settlers of the district usually lived in farm houses scattered 
along the Meramec and the creeks to the south and west of 
the French settlements. 

Between the Meramec on the north and Apple Creek 
on the south lay the District of Ste. Genevieve. The oldest 
town in Missouri, Ste. Genevieve, was the most important 
settlement in the district. At the close of the Spanish 
period, Ste. Genevieve was the most populous district and 
for a long time after the country came under the American 
rule this district was the center of strong French influences 
in Missouri politics. There were a number of French settle- 
ments in the district founded for the most part by the 
French who moved across the river from the Illinois country. 
The Americans in this district settled on farms along Apple 
Creek on the south and the Meramec on the north. They 
also founded some mining villages to the west of the French 
settlements. The most important of these was Mine a 



lo HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Breton, made prominent by Moses Austin,^ who obtained a 
grant of land near the mine and about 1798 introduced 
American methods of mining. 

Cape Girardeau District included the territory lying 
between Apple Creek and a line running from the Mississippi 
River westward about half way between the cities of Cape 
Girardeau and New Madrid. Cape Girardeau, the oldest 
settlement, was founded by Louis Lorimer^ between 1787 
and 1795. At the end of the period the district had 1,200 
people. The Americans were in the majority. • 

The New Madrid District lay between the Cape Girar- 
deau District and the present site of Helena, Arkansas, but 

^ Moses Austin was born in Durham, Connecticut. Before the Revolu- 
tionary War he had been a manufacturer of pewter in Richmond, Virginia. 
He became interested in lead and moved to Wythe County, Virginia, 
where he engaged in mining lead during the Revolution. He heard of the 
lead mines of Missouri and went to investigate them in 1796. He moved 
the next year and engaged in mining and smelting lead on a large scale. 
From 1798 to 1816 his plant produced 9,360,000 pounds of lead. Austin 
being a restless man, became tired of his mining operations and went to 
Mexico where he obtained a large grant of land in what is now Texas. He 
died in 1821, but his plans for establishing a colony of Americans (mostly 
Missourians) in Texas, was carried out by his son, Stephen Austin. 

^ Lorimer was a Tory leader during the Revolutionary War and led 
some of the Indian attacks against the American settlers in western 
Pennsylvania and Kentucky. He was a leader among the Indians. His 
wife was the daughter of a Shawnee chief. After the Revolutionary War 
he became an Indian trader, first in Ohio, later in Vincennes, Indiana, and 
finally at Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. From there he moved to Cape 
Girardeau where he received a grant of land from the Spanish Governor, 
Carondelet, in 1795. 



SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 ' n 

practically all the white people in this district^ lived within 
the present boundaries of Missouri. The town of New 
Madrid was founded soon after 1780 by two French- 
Canadian fur traders named Frances and Joseph Le Sieur. 
The colony remained small until an American, Colonel 
George Morgan, attempted to found an American colony in 
1789. Although Colonel Morgan failed to get his grant of 
land approved by the Spanish Government at New Orleans, 
nevertheless many Americans came to the new colony which 
he had advertised widely. At the end of the Spanish period 
the district had a population of 1,500. The total population 
of all the districts was about 10,000.'^ 

*' The population by districts in 1804 was as follows: 



District 


White 


Slave 


Total 


St. Charles 


1,400 
a,28o 

2,3 5^ 
1,470 


150 
500 
520 
180 
150 


^55° 
2,780 

2,870 

i,6j;o 


St. Louis 


Ste. Genevieve 


Cape Girardeau 


New Madrid 


1,500 






8,850 


1,500 


^o,3So 



"' The census of Spanish Governor De Lassus taken in 1799 showed the 
following population of the principal towns: 



Ste. Genevieve 949 

St. Louis 925 

St. Charles 875 

New Bourbon 560 

Cape Girardeau 521 

St. Anchre 393 



St. Ferdinand 376 

Marias Des Leards 376 

New Madrid 282 

Carondelet 184 

Meramec 115 

Little Meadows 49 



Total 6,028 



CHAPTER III 



LIFE OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE 
SPANISH PERIOD 

Villages. The French people lived In villages. These 
villages usually consisted of one long street with houses on 
either side. The houses were constructed of hewn logs 
which were stood on end side by side with the cracks filled 
with clay or mortar. The floors were usually made of hewn 




■! 



Type of the Robidou House in Which the First 
Newspaper was Published in 1808 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, by permission of the 
Missouri Historical Society 

logs joined together. The furniture was very crude and 
^simple. Back of the houses lay the common field. This was 

12 



LIFE OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD 13 

divided into long narrow strips,^ the strips running back 
from the village. Each villager was assigned a strip which 
usually contained twenty to thirty acres. 

Social Life. The people were very fond of amuse- 
ments, but life was pretty much the same everywhere. 
They were so widely separated from the rest of the world 
that it took months to get news. There were no newspapers, 
tew books and no public schools. Few people could read 
and write. The French settlers were Catholic in religion. 
The Catholic church was the established church and no other 
form of worship was legal. The chief occupations were 
farming, hunting, trapping and fur trading. 

The Government. The government was a very simple, 
mild, military despotism. The lieutenant governor resided 
at St. Louis. He appointed the commandants for the 
military posts and the commandants appointed the ruling 
officer, called a syndic, for the out-lying settlements. There 
were no elections, no local officials, except those appointed 
by the military commanders, no trial by jury, no lawyers, 
and very little court machinery. There was little crime. 
If a crime was committed, severe punishment was sure and 
swift. Cases were brought before the syndic, the com- 
mandant or the lieutenant governor. The officer would 
hear both sides and then render his decision. There was 
little delay. Often not more than four or five days passed 
between the filing of the suit and the decision of the court. 

The American Settlers. In the latter part of the Span- 
ish period the Americans began coming across the river in 

^ The unit for measuring land was the arpen. An arpen was about 
190 feet. The lots in St. Louis' common field were one arpen wide and 
forty arpens long. 



14 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

large numbers. About 1795, Spain and England came very 
near going to war. In case of war the English from Canada 
would certainly have attacked the Spanish settlements in 
upper Louisiana (now Missouri). In order to get into the 
colony people who would defend it against England in case 
of war, the Spanish Government began giving every Amer- 
ican who would settle in upper Louisiana 800 acres of land. 
This accounts for the large numbers of Americans who came 
to the country between 1795 and 1804. 

The Americans were very different from the French in 
many ways. They did not live in villages but on farms. 
Their houses were seldom closer than half a mile and they 
were often several miles apart. The Americans built their 
houses by laying the logs in the walls horizontally and notch- 
ing them together at the corners. 

The Americans were usually Protestants, if they belonged 
to any church. All public worship was illegal except that 
of the Catholic church. Therefore, if the Americans wor- 
shipped at all, it was in private homes. The Spanish officials, 
however, were usually very tolerant toward violations of 
laws concerning religious worship. 

Missouri Becomes American Territory. Li 1800 Napo- 
leon Bonaparte, who was ruler ofFrance, succeeded in getting 
Spain to give the entire Louisiana territory back to France 
in exchange for a portion of Italy which Napoleon held at 
that time. Later Napoleon sold the territory to the United 
States; thus the country which is now Missouri became a 
part of the United States. The transfer- at St. Louis was 
made March 9 and 10, 1804. 

^ The change from Spanish to American rule was made quietly and 
with very little ceremony. A Frenchman named Charles Gratiot took a 



LIFE OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD 1 5 

great deal of interest in the transfer. The transfer on March 10 took place 
on Gratiot's porch. He was a Republican and a Protestant and when the 
American flag was ran up he called for three cheers for his adopted 
country. 



QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER III 

1. How did the French build their log houses? 

2. What were their principal occupations? 

3. Why did so many American settlers come to Louisiana between 1795 
and 1804? 

4. How did the American settlers differ from the French? 

5. How and when did the United States obtain Louisiana? 



CHAPTER IV 

MISSOURI A TERRITORY 1804-1820 

The change from Spanish to American rule was not popu- 
lar in Missouri, although more than half the people were 
Americans. The change brought trial by jury, lawyers, 
land speculators, and higher taxes, all of which were con- 
sidered evils or at least unnecessary. From March until 
October, 1804 the military government was continued as it 
had been under the Spanish rule. The only change was 
that of governors. Captain Amos Stoddard succeeded the 
Spanish governor, De Lassus. 

District of Louisiana. October i, 1804 all of the Louisi- 
ana Purchase north of the southern boundary of the present 
state of Arkansas was made into the district of Louisiana. 
This district was attached to the Territory of Indiana. 
General William Henry Harrison who was at that -time 
governor of Indiana by that act of Congress became the 
first American Civil Governor of the country now Missouri. 
But Governor Harrison lived at Vincennes, Indiana and 
could give but little attention to the District of Louisiana. 
The people in the District thought they ought to have a 
territorial government of their own. They petitioned Con- 
gress to separate them from Indiana and make the District 
of Louisiana a territory of the third or highest class. 

Territory of Louisiana. In 1805 Congress separated the 
District of Louisiana from Indiana but made it a territory 

16 



MISSOURI A TERRITORY 1804-1820 17 

of the first or lowest class. General James Wilkinson^ was 
appointed first territorial governor and served from 1805 
to 1807. He soon became very unpopular in St. Louis. 
During Wilkinson's term, President Jefferson sent two young 
army officers, Merriweather Lewis and William Clark, up 
the Missouri River in charge of an exploring expedition.^ 
The purpose of the expedition was to gain all the informa- 
tion possible about the country which the President had 
purchased from France. 

In 1807 President Jefferson sent Governor Wilkinson 
to the army and appointed Merriweather Lewis^ governor. 

^ Governor Wilkinson was appointed first territorial governor by 
President Jefferson. President Jefferson seems to have thought very 
highly of Wilkinson, but he did not know of his secret schemes and plots 
which history has revealed. Wilkinson while yet a young man in the 
Revolutionary army was one of the plotters who tried to get General 
Washington relieved of his command and Gates put in his place. After 
the war, he moved to Kentucky where he secretly became a Spanish 
subject and tried to get the people west of the AUeghanies to separate from 
the United States. While he was governor of Louisiana he entertained 
Aaron Burr in his home in St. Louis and became a party to Burr's treason. 
2 Lewis and Clark gathered the men and supp ies for their expedition 
on the eastern bank of the Mississippi during the summer and fall of 1803. 
They ascended the river 1600 miles that summer. They stopped and 
built the fort which they called Fort Mandan from the Mandan Indians 
who lived there. In April, 1805 they left Fort Mandan and finished the 
ascent of the Missouri, crossed the mountains and spent the third winter 
at the mouth of the Columbia River. They had traveled more than 4,000 
miles. On March 23, 1806, they started on their journey homeward and 
reached St. Louis September 23, 1806. The journey had required two 
years and four months. 

^ Merriweather Lewis was born near Charlottesville, Virginia in 1774. 
His father died when he was a child but left him a moderate fortune. In 
1794 he volunteered in the army called out to suppress the whiskey riots 
in Pennsylvania. The next year he joined the regular army. He became 
a captain in 1800. From 1801 to 1803 he was private secretary to Presi- 
dent Jefferson. From 1 803 to 1 807 he was engaged in the famous Lewis 



i8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Governor Lewis found the affairs of the territory in bad 
condition but soon brought order out of confusion. After 
Governor Lewis' death in 1809, Benjamin Howard of Ken- 
tucky was appointed governor and served until 181 2, when 
he resigned to accept a commission as brigadier general. 

The census of 18 10 showed that the population had in- 
creased from 10,000 to 20,000 during the six years Missouri 
had been under American rule. 

The people were beginning to want more voice in their 
government than they were permitted to have under a first 
class territory,^ Between 18 10 and 18 12 a number of peti- 
tions were sent to Congress asking that the Territory of 
Louisiana be made a third class territory. Finally in 181 2 
that part of Louisiana known as the Territory of Orleans 
was admitted to the Union and its name changed to Louis- 
iana. The Territory of Louisiana was then made a territory 
of the second class^ and its name changed to Missouri. 



and Clark expedition described above and was governor of Missouri from 
1807 to 1809. He was a man of great ability but was restless and subject 
to fits of melancholy. In 1809 during one of these seasons of depression 
he started to Washington on official business. At a lodging place in 
Tennessee he committed suicide. 

^ The government of a territory of the first class consisted of a gover- 
nor and a court of three judges, all appointed by the President. The laws 
were made by the governor and the judges sitting as a territorial council. 
There were no elected officials. 

^ Under the second class territory the governor was appointed by the 
President. There was a legislative body composed of two houses. The 
members of the lower house known as the house of delegates, were elected 
by the people. The upper house was called the council. It was composed 
of nine men selected by the President from a list of eighteen names sub- 
mitted to him by the House of Delegates. The territory was given a dele- 
gate in Congress. 



MISSOURI A TERRITORY 1 804-1 820 19 

After Governor Howard's resignation the President 
appointed William Clark,^ the second officer of Lewis and 
Clark's expedition, governor. He held the office until 




William Clark 

Governor of Missouri Territory 

and Indian Agent 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, 
by permission of the Missouri Histor- 
ical Society 

^ Governor William Clark was a younger brother of the famous John 
Rogers Clark. He was born in Virginia in 1770. His father moved to the 
present site of Louisville, Kentucky in 1784. From that time he was 
associated with Indians. At eighteen years of age he entered the army. 



20 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Missouri became a state in 1820. During Governor Clark's 
administration rapid progress was made in Missouri along 
all lines. There were five counties in 1812. There were 
fifteen in 1820. The population was 20,000 in 18 10. It 
was more than 66,000 in 1820. Missouri had been made a 
territory of the third or highest class in 18 16. Soon after 
that the people began asking to be admitted to the Union as 
a state. 

He became a lieutenant of infantry in 1792 but resigned in 1796 on account 
of ill health. He moved to St. Louis. At Lewis' request he was appointed 
one of the commanders of the famous exploring expedition. It was due to 
his knowledge of the Indians that the expedition was successful. He was 
appointed Indian agent by the government in 1807. He won the friend- 
ship of the Indians by his honesty and fairness in dealing with them. 
They called him "Red Head" and he could do more with them than any 
other white man in Missouri. He served as governor of Missouri Territory 
from 1 8 13 to 1820. He was nominated for governor of the State against 
his will and was defeated by Alexander McNair in 1820. President 
Monroe appointed him Indian agent in 1822 and he held this office until 
his death in i8^8. 



QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV 

1. Why was the American rule unpopular in Missouri? 

2. What was the arrangement made by Congress for governing Missouri? 

3. What change was made by Congress in 1805? 

4. Who was the first territorial governor of Missouri? 

5. What was the purpose of Lewis and Clark's expedition? 

6. Who succeeded Governor Wilkinson in 1807? 

7. What change was made in the government in 1812? 

8. What was the population in Missouri in 1810? 

9. What was the population in 1820? 

10. How many counties were there in Missouri in 1812? In 1820? 

11. What change in government was made in 1816? 



CHAPTER V 
SETTLEMENTS 

Immigration, We have seen that the population of Mis- 
souri at the time of the purchase of Louisiana was about 
10,000 and that more than half of the people were Americans. 
The change in ownership from France to the United States 
caused the number of immigrants to increase rapidly. About 
10,000 people came across the Mississippi during the first six 
years of American rule. Most of these people came from 
Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and the Carolinas.^ How- 
ever, few new settlements were established until after the 
War of 1812. There were two reasons why these new 
immigrants did not form new settlements. First, the Indians 
were restless and there was danger of an Indian war. Second, 
there was plenty of land for all who came to the old settle- 
ments. 

After 1 8 15, immigration was much greater than it had 
been before the war.'- Probably the general unrest which 
usually follows war caused many people to want to find new 
homes in the West. This movement was so great that more 

^ The "Missouri Gazette" of October 16, 1816 said: "A stranger wit- 
nessing the scene would imagine that those states had made an agreement 
to introduce the territory as soon as possible into the bosom of the Amer- 
ican family." 

' "As many as one hundred persons are said to have passed through 
St. Charles in one day on their way to the Boone's Lick, Salt River or 
some other region which for the time being was the center of attraction; 
and this rate was kept up for many days together. Many of these movers 
brought with them a hundred head of cattle, besides horses, hogs, and 
sheep, and from three to twenty slaves." — Carr, History of Missouri, 
p. 177. 

21 



22 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

than forty thousand people came to Missouri between 1810 
and 1820. Most of them came after 18 15. 

New Settlements. The new comers pushed on up the 
Missouri River or up the Mississippi. Pioneers had gone 
into these regions before the war and had sent back glowing 
reports of the beauty and fertility of the country. One 
of the most popular settlements was the Boone's Lick^ 
country. Many of the people who came to this section 
brought slaves and much live stock with them. Occasionally 
there was a wealthy settler among them.'^ Soon a number of 
settlements were made which grew into thriving towns. 
When new settlements were made at a distance from the 
older communities, it was necessary that courts be estab- 
lished to keep order and punish criminals. This made it 
necessary to organize new counties as the settlements spread 
into the wilderness. 

Thus the organization of counties is an indication of the 
spreading of settlements. Between 1812 and 1820 there 
were ten new counties organized. They represented three 
different movements of population. Washington, Madison 

' This was the section of the country in the Missouri valley now occu- 
pied by Howard, Boone, Cooper and Calloway counties. It had no defi- 
nite boundaries. It received its name "Boonslick" because the two sons 
of Daniel Boone had come to the country and made salt from water of 
the salt springs they found in the region. 

^ Mr. John Hardeman, a wealthy lawyer from North Carolina, moved 
to Howard County in 1819. Here he established a splendid farm and 
garden. Switzler, in his History of Missouri, describes it as follows: "He 
purchased several hundred acres of land, and on a chosen spot immediately 
on the Missouri River laid off ten acres in an exact square for a botanical 
garden. Serpentine walks, paved with shells, conducted visitors through 
this charming court of flora." Hardeman's garden was famous through- 
out the country. But the current of the Missouri River washed it away, 
and the water now flows over the spot just above Boonville where the 
garden once grew. 



SETTLEMENTS 23 

and Wayne counties were in the second tier of counties back 
from the Mississippi River. Franklin, Montgomery, How- 
ard and Cooper counties were organized by the people who 
moved up the Missouri River. Lincoln and Pike counties 
were the result of the movement up the Mississippi. One 
county, Jefferson, represented increased population along 
the Mississippi, south of St. Louis. It was formed from a 
part of Ste. Genevieve County. 

In the year of 1820 ten new counties were created. 
Eight of the ten bordered on the Missouri River, one on 
the upper Mississippi, and one on the lower Mississippi. 

Indians. The Indians of Missouri retarded the settle- 
ment of the upper Missouri for a time, but they were never 
strong enough to hold the pioneers back very long. They 
sometimes attacked small settlements. They killed a few 
of the early settlers, usually by ambushing them or by 
attacking them without warning.^ They frequently stole 
the horses from a settlement, and when men pursued them, 
ambushed and killed their pursuers. '^ 

The Indians were so successful in horse stealing that a 
scarcity of horses compelled the early settlers to do most 
of their work with cattle. 

^ Captain Sarshell Cooper, tor whom Cooper County was named, was 
killed at his own fire side in Cooper's Fort, April 14, 1814. It was a dark 
stormy night and Captain Cooper was sitting by the fire holding one of 
his children on his knee. An Indian crept up to the wall of Cooper's cabin 
which formed one side of the tort, and made an opening between the logs 
just large enough to admit the muzzle of a gun. Through this opening 
he shot Captain Cooper. The child was not injured. 

^ In March, 1815 a band of Sacs and Fox Indians stole some horses 
from the settlers near Loutre Island. Captain James Calloway, a grand- 
son of Daniel Boone, with fifteen men pursued them and recovered the 
horses. While returning to the settlement they were ambushed. Captain 
Calloway and three of his men were killed. Calloway County was named 
in honor of Captain Calloway. 



^4 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



American Energy. The old French settlers had lived an 
easy life. They were content to do things as their fathers 
had done them. Progress was slow. The coming of the 
Americans changed all this. New energy and enterprise 
could be seen almost everywhere. Ste. Genevieve and New 
Madrid were exceptions. There the easy French life was 
continued, and in general, things were as before the Amer- 
icans came. New Madrid even lost in population.'^ Amer- 
ican activity entered all lines of work. New methods of 
mining and and new machinery increased the output of 
lead. New fur companies were organized and the value 
of the fur trade was greatly increased. American methods 
of farming yielded larger crops, and much grain and other 
farm products were shipped by river to New Orleans. 
Land values increased rapidly. Two banks were established 
at St. Louis. Both of them failed, but the fact that they 
existed at all indicates the spirit of the people. 

The Social Life. Missouri was on the extreme edge of 
civilization. Many rough characters were to be found in 
her population. Chief among these were the miners of the 
lead districts and the river men. These were rough-and- 
ready men, without families, who frequently engaged in 
drunken brawls and fist fights. But more serious than the 

' The loss in population was caused, in part at least, by a very disas- 
trous earthquake which occurred in 1811. The shocks continued for 
months. Many buildings were destroyed; much of the land was ruined; 
large areas became swamp land. Hundreds of people left the settlement. 
Congress permitted owners of New Madrid land to locate a like amount of 
land anywhere they pleased. Land speculators rushed to New Madrid 
and bought the ruined farms for very little and took up land elsewhere, in 
place of the farms they had bought. Thus the land sharks got the benefit 
of the action of Congress which was intended to relieve the unfortunate 
victims of the earthquake. 



SETTLEMENTS 25 

fights of the miners and the boatmen were the duels of the 
educated and professional classes. Duels^ were common and 
often ended fatally for one or both participants. 

Private schools were established early by the Americans 
and before 1820 provisions were made for a public school 
system in St. Louis. In 1820 there were five newspapers 
published in the territory. The oldest of these was the 
"Gazette"^ established in St. Louis in 1808. Soon after the 
Americans took possession of the country, Protestant 
churches were established. By 1820 Baptist, Presbyterian, 
Methodist, Congregationalist and Episcopal churches were 
established in the territory. 

River Traffic. Before the days of railroads the rivers 
were the highways of trade and travel. In the beginning 
of the territorial period transportation was usually carried 
up the rivers by keelboats. Down-stream transportation 
was often by flat boats or rafts. Before the end of the 
period the steamboat had been invented and applied in a 
small way to transportation on the rivers of the Mississippi 
valley. The first steamboat to reach St. Louis was the 
"General Pike" which arrived August 2, 18 17. During the 
year 181 8 there were several arrivals, and soon there was 
regular steamboat traffic. 

The first steamboat to ascend the Missouri was the 
"Independence" which reached Old Franklin in May, 18 19. 

®The most famous of these duels was the Benton-Lucas duel. Both 
were able young lawyers and rivals. They soon became bitter enemies 
in both law and politics. Lucas challenged Benton. A duel was fought 
in which Lucas was wounded. Later a second meeting resulted in Lucas' 
being killed. 

^ "The Gazette" later became "The Republican" and finally "The 
Republic." It was published continuously for one hundred and eleven 
years. In 1919 the plant was bought by the "Globe Democrat" and the 
career of "The Republic" was ended. 



26 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The same year the "Western Engineer,"^° a small steamboat, 
passed up the Missouri as far as the mouth of the Platte 
River. This change in transportation meant much for the 
people of Missouri. It meant better markets for their goods, 
cheaper goods from the East, and quicker passenger and 
mail service. Such was the Missouri of one hundred years 
ago when she started on her history as one of the states of 
the Union. 

^° The "Western Engineer" was constructed in an odd way. Ex- 
tending from its prow (front end) running from the keel was the image of 
a huge serpent, painted black, with mouth of red and its tongue the color 
of live coal. The steam exhausted from the mouth of the serpent. This 
led the Indians to look with wonder. They saw in it the great Spirit 
and thought the boat was carried on the back of the great serpent. Many 
were afraid to go near it. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER V 

1. How did the purchase of Louisiana affect migration across the Missis- 
sippi? 

2. How many came into Louisiana during the first six years of American 
rule? 

3. From what states did the immigrants come? 

4. Why did not the immigrants who came before 1812 form new settle- 
ments? 

5. Where was the Boone's Lick country? 

6. How did the Indians injure the early settlers? 

7. How did the American energy change conditions in the territory? 

8. What was the first newspaper in Missouri? How many newspapers 
were there in Missouri in 1820? 

9. What change in transportation began during the territorial period? 
What did it mean to Missouri? 

10. When did the first steamboat arrive in St. Louis? 



PART II 
MISSOURI A PIONEER STATE 1820-1836 

CHAPTER I 

INTRODUCTION TO THE STORY OF 
MISSOURI STATEHOOD 

General Survey. The hundred years of Missouri history 
which we are to follow divides itself naturally into three 
great periods. The first of these began with the organiza- 
tion of the State government in 1820 and closed with two 
important events which mark the opening of the second 
period in 1836. The period covered sixteen years and was 
essentially a pioneer period. The life of the people is not 
very different from what it had been from the beginning of 
American rule in 1804 to the organization of the State 
government in 1820. Probably the most striking thing 
about the period was the rapid increase in population and the 
consequent organization of new counties. There were other 
things preparing the State for greater advance In civiliza- 
tion; the growth of the steamboat traffic; the end of the 
Indian troubles; the beginning of political parties; the 
beginning of the accumulation of capital due to lead mining, 
the fur trade, and the Sante Fe trade; the gradual Improve- 
ment In agriculture; the development of the tobacco indus- 
try and the hemp Industry; the social and educational 
development; and also the migration of Missourlans to 

27 



a8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Texas. While the period was essentially a pioneer period 
toward its close it gradually merged into a more progressive 
stage of civilization. 

The Introductory Story. The real history of the State 
of Missouri begins with the story of her struggle for state- 
hood. All that we have told In Part I Is simply an introduc- 
tion to the real history of Missouri. This introductory story 
is Intensely Interesting. It Is a period of adventure and 
romance. A great deal has been written concerning the 
men who lived and the things that have happened during 
these early times, but after all It is only a story of prepara- 
tion. This introductory story is not even an American story 
until 1804. 

Importance of Missouri's History. Missouri has been 
the central figure In more important events and movements 
than any other state of the Union. Virginia, because of her 
former size, because of her extravagant claims of territory 
based on an old charter, and because of her old cavalier 
aristocracy has an important place in the history of our 
country. She has been called "Old Dominion" and "The 
Mother of States" and she furnished three of the first four 
presidents. Missouri has furnished no presidents, has 
made no extravagant claims to territory, and has no blooded 
aristocracy but her citizens have gone into Texas, Oregon, 
California, and Oklahoma in such numbers that they 
practically brought these states into existence. Her citizens 
have moved to and exercised strong influence in all of the 
states of the great West except Kansas. Thus Missouri, 
through the activity of her citizenship, has become the real 
mother of states. Massachusetts Is the home of the Pilgrim 
fathers; the seat of Harvard University and the near neigh- 



INTRODUCTION TO STORY OF MISSOURI STATEHOOD ig 

bor of Yale. Because of the barrenness of her soil her people 
have been compelled to get an education to make a living. 
Thus there has been produced a group of Massachusetts, 
or at least New England, historians. 

We must not forget that much of American history has 
been written from the New England point of view; and the 
importance of Massachusetts is emphasized by the New 
England writers of history. 

Missouri the Center of Nation Wide Events and Move- 
ments. Virginia and Massachusetts are the only rivals of 
Missouri in historical importance among the states. A 
true viewpoint of the growth and development of our whole 
country will doubtless eliminate both of them. The first 
event of great importance in the growth of our country 
after the recognition of our independence in 1783 was the 
purchase of Louisiana. This purchase doubled the territory 
of our nation and made possible our continued development. 
Missouri was the center of this territory, the gateway to 
the great West, the first state to be settled and admitted to 
the Union from it.^ 

The request of Missouri for admission to the Union 
brought before the country the issue of slavery. Every 
argument that was ever used for slavery, or against It, except 
the final argument of force, was used In the contest over the 
admission of Missouri. Mr. Carr, the author of the History 

^ Louisiana was admitted before Missovui, but Louisiana was French 
and Spanish in population rather than an American state. The impor- 
tance of New Orleans and the French people were the dominant factors in 
making Louisiana a state. Louisiana still uses Latin law and has the code 
of Napoleon instead of English common law. Her local units of govern- 
ment are called parishes instead of counties and the old French manners 
still influence- her people. 



30 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




INTRODUCTION TO STORY OF MISSOURI STATEHOOD 31 

of Missouri in The Commonwealth Series, called his book 
"Missouri, A Bone of Contention." With the adoption of 
the Missouri Compromise, Missouri became a peninsula of 
slave territory extending north into free territory. Upon the 
settlement of Kansas this fact became more noticeable. 
At the same time, Missouri was a peninsula of civilization 
extending westward into the unsettled wilderness. 

For sixteen years after her admission, Missouri was the 
only state west of the Mississippi River. For thirty years 
the apex of the frontier line^ remained in the neighborhood 
of Kansas City, while our population gathered there to 
make the final drive which was to span the continent with 
American civilization. 

Later Missouri was the pivotal state in the Civil War. 
She was the largest, most populous, and the most important 
of the border states. When in February, 1861 Missouri gave 
the union cause 80,000 majority and elected to the consti- 
tuent convention an overwhelming majority of union dele- 
gates, it is not too much to say that she saved the nation. 
President Lincoln recognized the importance of Missouri 
by appointing one of her citizens to a cabinet position and 
making her the leader of his Border State Policy. After 
the war, Missouri led the nation-wide movement for general 
amnesty. The Liberal Republican Party was organized 
upon the issue of a general amnesty and the restoration of 
I civic rights in Missouri in 1870. They carried the state by 
; 40,000, and the movement spread over the whole nation. A 
National Liberal Republican Party in 1872 nominated Hor- 
ace Greeley of New York and B. Gratz Brown of Missouri. 

2 The "frontier line" marks the territory where the density of popula- 
tion is greater than two to the square mile from the terr tory where the 
density of population is less than two to the square mile. 



32 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

While Greeley and Brown were defeated, the policy of 
general amnesty triumphed and was carried out by President 
"Hayes four years later. 

Free Silver. Once more Missouri had the distinction of 
furnishing leadership in a nation-wide movement. Richard 
P. Bland, Congressman from Missouri in 1878, began the 
fight for free silver by introducing a free silver bill into 
Congress. The bill did not pass in its original form^ He 
continued the fight until in 1895 he committed his party in 
the state to free silver. Many people thought the Demo- 
cratic convention of 1896 should have nominated Mr. Bland 
for President as the logical free silver leader. Instead it 
nominated William Jennings Bryan. As in 1872, the coun- 
try had accepted an issue raised by Missouri, but had 
refused to nominate the Missouri leader. 

The Central State. The geographic position and re- 
sources of Missouri probably account, in a degree, at least, 
for her wonderful history and leadership in nation wide 
movements. Missouri is not only a central state in the 
Mississippi valley, but is the central state in the United 
States. There are five states between Missouri and the 
Atlantic and five between Missouri and the Pacific. There 
are two states between Missouri and Canada and two be- 
tween Missouri and the Gulf of Mexico. 

Rivers. The Mississippi, one of the greatest rivers 
of the world, washes the entire eastern border of the State. 
The Missouri flows for more than a hundred miles along 
the western border, then almost directly across the State 
joining the Mississippi near the middle of Missouri's eastern 
boundary. The tributaries flowing into these two rivers 



INTRODUCTION TO STORY OF MISSOURI STATEHOOD 23 

are grouped in such a way as to make eight small river 
systems or groups of rivers, separated by watersheds. The 
highways and especially the railroads follow these valleys 
and ridges. 

Soil and Other Natural Resources. The greatest natural 
resource of Missouri is her soils. With respect to fertility 
these soils may be considered in five groups. In order of 
fertility the glacial soil in the northwestern part of the 
State near the Missouri River probably stands first. This 
is a very fertile brown soil and is usually known as loess soil. 
A close second to the loess soil in fertility, if it is not first, 
is the wonderfully rich black alluvial soil of our river and 
creek bottoms. It is scattered over the State, but found in 
larger sections in southeastern Missouri than elsewhere. 

Third comes the prairie soil of the north central and 
western parts of the State. The soils around the base of the 
Ozark Mountains come fourth. Finally, the poorest of our 
soils are the upland soils of the Ozark hills. Even these are 
capable of supporting an immense population if they were 
intensively cultivated like the upland soils of central 
Europe. 

The Heritage of Missouri Boys and Girls. In addition 
to her soils, Missouri has immense natural resources in her 
minerals, timber, building stone, fine clay, water power, etc. 
Certainly no boys and girls ever had a greater or more 
wonderful inheritance than the boys and girls of the present 
day Missouri. They live in the center of the greatest valley 
of the world; in the center of the United States, the richest, 
the most powerful, and we believe, the best nation of the 
earth. From our central viewpoint we can get a vision of' 
the East, the West, the North and the South, and under- 



34 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

stand the people of these sections probably better than they 
understand themselves. The Missouri boys and girls have 
the opportunity to become big, all-round American men and 
women with a vision and an understanding of the whole 
country. To understand themselves, to understand the 
society in which they are living, to be able to make use of 
the abundant resources at hand, to make the most of their 
inheritance, Missouri boys and girls must know the wonder- 
ful hundred years of the history of their State which lie back 
of them. 

This centennial story, this hundred years of develop- 
ment, this hundred years of relationship to the Americai 
nation, this hundred years of membership in the great famih 
of the states which compose the United States is the subjec 
of the remaining chapters of this book. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER I 

1. With what event does the real history of Missouri begin? 

2. What are the leading characteristics of the introductory period? 

3. When does the American story begin? 

4. What reason is there for calling Missouri the mother of states? 

5. When did the issue of slavery first come before the country? 

6. In what way was Missouri for a long time a peninsula? 

7. What is a frontier line? 

8. How did President Lincoln recognize the importance of Missoxui? 

9. Who was the national leader of the free silver movement? 

10. Name and locate the five varieties of soils in Missouri? 

11. Why should Missouri boys and girls know the history of Missouri? 



DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION 1641-1732 3 

about as far as the mouth of the Gasconade when the 
Indians forced him back. He floated down the Mississippi 
to Kaskaskia and landed on the western bank of the river. 
From there he traveled west across the hills and streams 
until he came to the prairies in the western part of the State. 
He then turned north and came to the Missouri River near 
V here Kansas City now stands. From there he floated down 
I le river to the French settlements on the Mississippi. 
\ here were other expeditions of this kind. In this way the 
. )untry on the west side of the river became well known. 
. hese early settlers found that there was lead and salt on 
the Missouri side of the river. They crossed over to make 
salt and to work in the lead mines back in the hills. 

In 1723 the French Government sent an expedition led by 
Captain De Bourgmont up the Missouri River to build a 
fort. The fort was named Orleans and was probably located 
on the southern bank of the river near Malta Bend in Saline 
County. Fort Orleans was destroyed by the Indians in 1726. 



talking about he appeared to become very angry. He told them he would 
scalp himself. Grabbing his wig, he jerked it off and threw it on the 
ground in their midst. The Indians were so surprised that a man could 
scalp himself and still live that they thought him some kind of superior 
being and gave him presents and allowed him to go free. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 1 

1. What was the probable route of De Soto through Missouri? 

2. Why is De Soto's expedition mentioned in Missouri History? 

3. What two Frenchmen discovered the upper Mississippi River? 

4. What explorers passed down the Mississippi past Missouri? Give 
dates. 

5. When the French first came to the Mississippi valley to live, where did 
they build their towns? 

6. Where did Du Tisne cross the State? 



CHAPTER II 

SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 

French. The first permanent settlement in Missouri 
was made at Ste. Genevieve, probably in 1732, at least as 
early as 1735. By that time there were about 5,000 white 
people and about 2,000 negro slaves in the whole Mississippi 
valley. The greater part lived on the eastern bank of the 
river in the Illinois country and around New Orleans near 
the mouth of the river. Fifteen years later the population 
had fallen off to 6,000. In 1764 a French merchant named 
Laclede established a trading post which he named St. 
Louis^ in honor of King Louis XV of France. Soon after 
St. Louis was founded, all the territory east of the Mississippi 
was transferred from France to England. When the French 
settlers learned of this transfer, a great number of them 

1 In the summer of 1763 Laclede had brought his family and the goods 
he -expected to trade to the Indians for furs up the river from New Orleans 
as far as Fort Chartres, about sixty miles below St. Louis. He left his 
family and stores there. Taking a few of his men and his stepson, Auguste 
Chouteau, he set out to find a suitable place to build his house and store. 
He examined the west bank of the "river carefully from Ste. Genevieve to 
a point a few miles above the mouth of the Missouri, Most of the land 
was too low to suit him. Floating back down the river to a low bluff on 
the west bank, he landed. Having examined the country carefully, he 
blazed a tree, called his stepson, Auguste Chouteau, and said to him "As 
soon as the river is free from ice next spring you will lead a groupof work- 
men to this place and build a house." The next spring, February 15, 
1764 Auguste Chouteau, who was not yet fourteen years of age, landed 
with the workmen and began clearing the ground and was soon building 
the first house in St. Louis. 



SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 5 

moved across the river to Laclede's settlement. After this 
first movement of settlers across the river, the settlement 
grew very slowly. In 1790 there were only about 800 people 
living there. 




Pierre Laclede 
The Founder of St. Louis 
Bust in Merchants-Laclede Bank 
From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, 
by permission of the Missouri Histor- 
ical Society 



Spanish. By the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, 
at the same time the French ceded to England all their 
territory east of the Mississippi they gave the Spanish all of 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



their territory west of the river. Thus the country that is 
now Missouri which formerly belonged to France came under 
Spanish control. When the Spanish took possession, there 
were only two settlements within the present limits of Mis- 
souri, Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis. 




AuGUSTE Chouteau 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, 
by permission of the Missouri Historical Society 

Settlement During the Spanisli Period 1763-1804. The 

Spanish during their control created five districts in what 
is now Missouri. These districts were units for governmen- 
tal purposes and became the first five counties when the 



SETTLEMENT 173 2- 1804 7 

country passed under American control. During the Span- 
ish period the population increased from about 1,000 to 
10,000. The increase was the result of two streams of 
immigration which flowed into the Missouri country from 
the east side of the river. The first was from the old French 
settlements on the Illinois side. There were three causes 
for this movement: i. The dissatisfaction of the French 
because the country east of the river was given to the Eng- 
lish in 1763. 2. The lack of sufficient government to protect 
life and property during and after the American Revolution- 
ary War while the country was ruled by the Continental 
Congress. 3. The Northwest Ordinance of 17R7 which 
prohibited slavery north of the Ohio River. This caused 
many of the French slave holders to move across the river. 

The second stream of immigration was the Americans 
from Kentucky and Tennessee. This was a part of the great 
westward movement of the x'\merican people which in the 
space of a little more than a hundred years has changed the 
American continent from a wilderness in which a few 
thousand Indians roamed, to a highly civilized country in 
which are the homes of more than 100,000,000 people. 
This great movement is well illustrated by the story of 
Daniel Boone- and his family. It might be equally well illus- 
trated by the family history of almost anyone who lives in 
Missouri. 

2 Daniel Boone was born in Pennsylvania in the same year George 
Washington was born in Virginia, 1732. His father moved with his 
family of eleven children to western North Carolina, following one of the 
valleys of the Allegheny Mountains. Daniel Boone married in North 
Carolina. He later moved to Kentucky where game was more plentiful. 
Here he lived for a number of years and reared a large family. One ot his 
sons, Daniel Morgan Boone, moved to Missouri and established a settle- 
ment on the north bank of the Missouri River about twenty miles west of 



8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

New Settlements. We shall consider the new settle- 
ments by districts beginning with St. Charles. The first 
settlement in the St. Charles District was founded about 
1780. The town was located on the north bank of the Mis- 
souri River about twenty miles from the Mississippi. The 
founder was a French-Canadian named Louis Blanchette. 
Portage Des Sioux^ was a French settlement established on 
the narrow tongue of land between the Missouri and Missis- 
sippi on the bank of the Missouri near its mouth. 

Another French settlment was located about fifty miles 
above St. Charles on the Missouri River at a place called 
LaCharette by the French, but now known as Marthasville. 
The American settlers did not live in villages as the French 
did, but lived in farm houses scattered along the creeks that 
flow into the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. 

The St. Louis District extended from the Missouri River 
on the north to the Meramec on the south. None of these 

St. Charles. Later Daniel Boone and many others of the Boone family 
followed his son, Daniel Morgan Boone, to Missouri where he lived until 
his death in 1820. He died in the house of his son Nathan Boone in Mar- 
thasville. This house is still standing. Members of the Boone family soon 
went up the Missouri River to the central part of the State to make salt. 
The country came to be known as Boone's Lick country. Boonville 
and Boone County were named in honor of the Boones. Members of the 
Daniel Boone family scattered through the central part of the State and 
many of his descendants are now living in Missouri. 

^ Portage Des Sioux got its name from an incident that occurred in an 
Indian war between the Sioux Indians and the Missouri Indians. The 
Sioux had invaded the Missouri's country near the mouth of the Osage. 
They had captured much booty and were escaping down the Missouri in 
their canoes. A force of the Missouri Indians laid an ambush for the Sioux 
at the mouth of the river. The Sioux learned of the Missouri's ambush; 
landed on the north bank of the river; carried their canoes across the 
narrow strip of land to the Mississippi and in that way avoided {he 
Missouri's ambush. 



SETTLEMENT 1732-1804 9 

districts were limited on the west. St. Louis, the largest 
settlement in the district at the end of the Spanish period, 
1804, contained 171 houses and about 1,000 people. The 
French had a settlement at Carondelet about six miles 
south of the original settlement of St. Louis, but now within 
the southern part of the city. Another French settlement 
was located at Florissant about twelve miles northwest of 
St. Louis. It was established about 1785 and was in 1804 
the second town in the district in population. A fourth 
French settlement had been made at Creve Coeur on the 
southern bank of the Missouri west of Florissant. Point 
Labadie about forty-five miles above St. Louis on the south 
bank of the Missouri marked the westward extension of 
French settlements in the St. Louis district. The American 
settlers of the district usually lived in farm houses scattered 
along the Meramec and the creeks to the south and west of 
the French settlements. 

Between the Meramec on the north and Apple Creek 
on the south lay the District of Ste. Genevieve. The oldest 
town in Missouri, Ste. Genevieve, was the most important 
settlement in the district. At the close of the Spanish 
period, Ste. Genevieve was the most populous district and 
for a long time after the country came under the /\merican 
rule this district was the center of strong French influences 
in Missouri politics. There were a number of French settle- 
ments in the district founded for the most part by the 
French who moved across the river from the Illinois country. 
The Americans in this district settled on farms along Apple 
Creek on the south and the Meramec on the north. They 
also founded some mining villages to the west of the French 
settlements. The most important of these was Mine a 



10 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Breton, made prominent by Moses Austin,^ who obtained a 
grant of land near the mine and about 1798 introduced 
x'\merican methods of mining. 

Cape Girardeau District included the territory lying 
between Apple Creek and a line running from the Mississippi 
River westward about half way between the cities of Cape 
Girardeau and New Madrid. Cape Girardeau, the oldest 
settlement, was founded by Louis Lorimer^ between 1787 
and 1795. At the end of the period the district had 1,200 
people. The Americans were in the majority. 

The New Madrid District lay between the Cape Girar- 
deau District and the present site of Helena, Arkansas, but 



^ Moses Austin was born in Durham, Connecticut. Before the Revolu- 
tionary War he had been a manufacturer of pewter in Richmond, Virginia. 
He became interested in lead and moved to Wythe County, Virginia, 
where he engaged in mining lead during the Revolution. He heard of the 
lead mines of Missouri and went to investigate them in 1796. He moved 
the next year and engaged in mining and smelting lead on a large scale. 
From 1798 to 1816 his plant produced 9,360,000 pounds of lead. Austin 
being a restless man, became tired of his mining operations and went to 
Mexico where he obtained a large grant of land in what is now Texas. He 
died in 1821, but his plans for establishing a colony of Americans (mostly 
Missourians) in Texas, was carried out by his son, Stephen Austin. 

^ Lorimer was a Tory leader during the Revolutionary War and led 
some of the Indian attacks against the American settlers in western 
Pennsylvania and Kentucky. He was a leader among the Indians. His 
wife was the daughter of a Shawnee chief. After the Revolutionary War 
he became an Indian trader, first in Ohio, later in Vincennes, Indiana, and 
finally at Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. From there he moved to Cape 
Girardeau where he received a grant of land from the Spanish Governor, 
Carondelet, in 1795. 



SETTLEMENT 1 732-1804 n 

practically all the white people in this district^ lived within 
the present boundaries of Missouri. The town of New 
Madrid was founded soon after 1780 by two French- 
Canadian fur traders named Frances and Joseph Le Sieur. 
The colony remained small until an American, Colonel 
George Morgan, attempted to found an American colony in 
1789. Although Colonel Morgan failed to get his grant of 
land approved by the Spanish Government at New Orleans, 
nevertheless many Americans came to the new colony which 
he had advertised widely. At the end of the Spanish period 
the district had a population of 1,500. The total population 
of all the districts was about 10,000.^ 

^ The population by districts in 1804 was as follows: 



District 


White 


Slave 


Total 


St. Charles 


1,400 
2,280 

2,350 
1,470 

1,350 


150 

500 

520 
180 
150 


1,550 
2,780 

2.870 


St. Louis 

Ste. Genevieve 


Cape Girardeau 


1,650 

1,500 


New Madrid 






8,850 


1,500 


10,350 



' The census of Spanish Governor De Lassus taken in 1799 showed the 
following population of the principal towns: 



Ste. Genevieve 949 

St. Louis 925 

St. Charles 875 

New Bourbon 560 

Cape Girardeau 521 

St. Andre 393 



St. Ferdinand 376 

Marias Des Leards 376 

New Madrid 282 

Carondelet 184 

Meramec 115 

Litde Meadows 49 



TotaL 



.6,028 



CHAPTER III 



LIFE OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE 
SPANISH PERIOD 

Villages. The French people lived in villages. These 
villages usually consisted of one long street with houses on 
either side. The houses were constructed of hewn logs 
which were stood on end side by side with the cracks filled 
with clay or mortar. The floors were usually made of hewn 




Type of the Robidou House in Which the First 
Newspaper was Published in 1808 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, by permission of the 
Missouri Historical Society 

logs joined together. The furniture was very crude and 
simple. Back of the houses lay the common field. This was 

11 



LIFE OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD 13 

divided into long narrow strips,^ the strips running back 
from the village. Each villager was assigned a strip which 
usually contained twenty to thirty acres. 

Social Life. The people were very fond of amuse- 
ments, but life was pretty much the same everywhere. 
They were so widely separated from the rest of the world 
that it took months to get news. There were no newspapers, 
lew books and no public schools. Few people could read 
and write. The French settlers were Catholic in religion. 
The Catholic church was the established church and no other 
form of worship was legal. The chief occupations were 
farming, hunting, trapping and fur trading. 

The Government. The government was a very simple, 
mild, military despotism. The lieutenant governor resided 
at St. Louis. He appointed the commandants for the 
military posts and the commandants appointed the ruling 
officer, called a syndic, for the out-lying settlements. There 
were no elections, no local officials, except those appointed 
by the military commanders, no trial by jury, no lawyers, 
and very little court machinery. There was little crime. 
If a crime was committed, severe punishment was sure and 
swift. Cases were brought before the syndic, the com- 
mandant or the lieutenant governor. The officer would 
hear both sides and then render his decision. There was 
little delay. Often not more than four or five days passed 
between the filing of the suit and the decision of the court. 

The American Settlers. In the latter part of the Span- 
ish period the Americans began coming across the river in 

^ The tmit for measurine; land was the arpen. An arpen was about 
190 feet. The lots in St. Louis' common field were one arpen wide and 
forty arpens long. 



14 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

large numbers. About 1795, Spain and England came very 
near going to war. In case of war the English from Canada 
would certainly have attacked the Spanish settlements in 
upper Louisiana (now Missouri). In order to get into the 
colony people who would defend it against England in case 
of war, the Spanish Government began giving every Amer- 
ican who would settle in upper Louisiana 800 acres of land. 
This accounts for the large numbers of Americans who came 
to the country between 1795 ^^'^ 1804. 

The x-\mericans were very different from the French in 
many ways. They did not live in villages but on farms. 
Their houses were seldom closer than half a mile and they 
were often several miles apart. The Americans built their 
houses by laying the logs in the walls horizontally and notch- 
ing them together at the corners. 

The Americans were usually Protestants, If they belonged 
to any church. All public worship was Illegal except that 
of the Catholic church. Therefore, if the Americans wor- 
shipped at all, it was in private homes. The Spanish officials, 
however, were usually very tolerant toward violations of 
laws concerning religious worship. 

Missouri Becomes American Territory. In 1800 Napo- 
leon Bonaparte, who was ruler ofFrance, succeeded In getting 
Spain to give the entire Louisiana territory back to France 
in exchange for a portion of Italy which Napoleon held at 
that time. Later Napoleon sold the territory to the United 
States; thus the country which Is now Missouri became a 
part of the United States. The transfer^ at St. Louis was 
made March 9 and 10, 1804. 

2 The change from Spanish to American rule was made quietly and 
with very little ceremony. A Frenchman named Charles Gratiot took a 



LIFE OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD 1 5 

great deal of interest in the transfer. The transfer on March 10 took place 
on Gratiot's porch. He was a Republican and a Protestant and when the 
American flag was ran up he called for three cheers for his adopted 
country. 



QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER III 

1. How did the French build their log houses? 

2. What were their principal occupations? 

3. Why did so many American settlers come to Louisiana between 1795 
and 1804? 

4. How did the American settlers differ from the French? 

5. How and when did the United States obtain Louisiana? 



CHAPTER IV 

MISSOURI A TERRITORY 1804-1820 

The change from Spanish to American rule was not popu- 
lar in Missouri, although more than half the people were 
Americans. The change brought trial by jury, lawyers, 
land speculators, and higher taxes, all of which were con- 
sidered evils or at least unnecessary. From March until 
October, 1804 the military government was continued as it 
had been under the Spanish rule. The only change was 
that of governors. Captain Amos Stoddard succeeded the 
Spanish governor, De Lassus. 

District of Louisiana. October i, 1804 all of the Louisi- 
ana Purchase north of the southern boundary of the present 
state of Arkansas was made into the district of Louisiana. 
This district was attached to the Territory of Indiana. 
General William Henry Harrison who was at that time 
governor of Indiana by that act of Congress became the 
first American Civil Governor of the country now Missouri. 
But Governor Harrison lived at Vincennes, Indiana and 
could give but little attention to the District of Louisiana. 
The people in the District thought they ought to have a 
territorial government of their own. They petitioned Con- 
gress to separate them from Indiana and make the District 
of Louisiana a territory of the third or highest class. 

Territory of Louisiana. In 1805 Congress separated the 
District of Louisiana from Indiana but made it a territory 

16 



MISSOURI A TERRITORY 1804-1820 17 

of the first or lowest class. General James Wilkinson^ was 
appointed first territorial governor and served from 1805 
to 1807. He soon became very unpopular in St. Louis. 
During Wilkinson's term, President Jefferson sent two young 
army officers, Merriweather Lewis and William Clark, up 
the Missouri River in charge of an exploring expedition.^ 
The purpose of the expedition was to gain all the informa- 
tion possible about the country which the President had 
purchased from France. 

In 1807 President Jefferson sent Governor Wilkinson 
to the army and appointed Merriweather Lewis^ governor. 

^ Governor Wilkinson was appointed first territorial governor by- 
President Jefferson. President Jefferson seems to have thought very 
highly of Wilkinson, but he did not know of his secret schemes and plots 
which history has revealed. Wilkinson while yet a young man in the 
Revolutionary army was one of the plotters who tried to get General 
Washington relieved of his command and Gates put in his place. After 
the war, he moved to Kentucky where he secretly became a Spanish 
subject and tried to get the people west of the Alleghanies to separate from 
the United States. While he was governor of Louisiana he entertained 
Aaron Burr in his home in St. Louis and became a party to Burr's treason. 

2 Lewis and Clark gathered the men and supp ies for their expedition 
on the eastern bank of the Mississippi during the summer and fall of 1803. 
They ascended the river 1600 miles that summer. They stopped and 
built the fort which they called Fort Mandan from the Mandan Indians 
who lived there. In April, 1805 they left Fort Mandan and finished the 
ascent of the Missouri, crossed the mountains and spent the third winter 
at the mouth of the Columbia River. They had traveled more than 4,000 
miles. On March 23, 1806, they started on their journey homeward and 
reached St. Louis September 23, 1806. The journey had required two 
years and four months. 

3 Merriweather Lewis was born near Charlottesville, Virginia in 1774. 
His father died when he was a child but left him a moderate fortune. In 
1794 he volunteered in the army called out to suppress the whiskey riots 
. in Pennsylvania. The next year he joined the regular army. He became 
a captain in 1800. From 1801 to 1803 he was private secretary to Presi- 
dent Jefferson. From 1803 to 1807 he was engaged in the famous Lewis 



1 8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Governor Lewis found the affairs of the territory in bad 
condition but soon brought order out of confusion. After 
Governor Lewis' death in 1809, Benjamin Howard of Ken- 
tucky was appointed governor and served until 181 2, when 
he resigned to accept a commission as brigadier general. 

The census of 18 10 showed that the population had in- 
creased from lOjOOO to 20,000 during the six years Missouri 
had been under American rule. 

The people were beginning to want more voice In their 
government than they were permitted to have under a first 
class territory.^ Between 18 10 and 1812 a number of peti- 
tions were sent to Congress asking that the Territory of 
Louisiana be made a third class territory. Finally in 1812 
that part of Louisiana known as the Territory of Orleans 
was admitted to the Union and its name changed to Louis- 
iana. The Territory of Louisiana was then made a territory 
of the second class^ and its name changed to Missouri. 



and Clark expedition described above and was governor of Missouri from 
1807 to 1809. He was a man of great ability but was restless and subject 
to fits of melancholy. In 1809 during one of these seasons of depression 
he started to Washington on official business. At a lodging place in 
Tennessee he committed suicide. 

* The government of a territory of the first class consisted of a gover- 
nor and a court of three judges, all appointed by the President. The laws 
were made by the governor and the judges sitting as a territorial council. 
There were no elected officials. 

^ Under the second class territory the governor was appointed by the 
President. There was a legislative body composed of two houses. The 
members of the lower house known as the house of delegates, were elected 
by the people. The upper house was called the council. It was composed 
of nine men selected by the President from a list of eighteen names sub- 
mitted to him by the House of Delegates. The territory was given a dele- 
gate in Congress. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 820-1836 . 51 

The legislature passed a bill making dueling a crime. 
The penalty for violation of the law was whipping. Gover- 
nor Bates vetoed the bill, because he could not approve of 
whipping as the penalty. This was the first veto recorded 
in Missouri. Governor Bates died August 4, 1825. Ben- 
jamin Reeves, who had been elected lieutenant governor, 
had resigned to accept an official position from the United 
States Government. Abraham J. WiUiams of Columbia, 
became acting governor and called an election to fill the 
vacancy. At this election Colonel John Miller ^^ of Cooper 

case that should happen, Missouri with her one representative would 
have one vote, the same as New York or Pennsylvania, the most populous 
states. This was the reason for the keen interest in the election of con- 
gressmen. No candidate received a majority of the electoral vote, and 
the election was decided by the House of Representatives. Probably a 
majority of the people of Missouri at that time favored Clay. Certainly 
John Scott was for him. But Clay could not be voted for in the House of 
Representatives, because the constitution requires the choice to be made 
from the three receiving the highest number of electoral votes. Clay stood 
fourth on the list. Jackson, the other western candidate, would certainly 
have been the second choice of the people of Missouri. The contest in the 
House was between Adams and Jackson. The contest was so close that 
the vote of Missouri might decide it. John Scott, who was a very close 
personal friend of Clay, was persuaded to vote for Adams and he was 
elected president. Scott was defeated at the next election in Missouri. 

10 Col. John Miller was born in Virginia, Nov. 25, 1781. He received a 
common school education and moved to Ohio where he became editor of 
a newspaper. He was made general of the Ohio militia in 1812, and after- 
wards a colonel in the United States Army. He served under General 
Harrison. On one occasion General Harrison called his colonels together 
and asked them one by one who would undertake the capture of a British 
battery that was doing much damage. Col. Miller, irritated at the lack of 
military method, replied "I'll try, sir." He captured the battery. Col. 
Miller remained in the army until 18 17 when he resigned and settled in 
Cooper County, Missouri. He served as register of land from 1 8 17 to 1825 
when he was elected governor. He was re-elected for a full term in 1828 
without opposition, and thus served as governor of Missouri for seven 
years. No other man has served more than four years. In 1836 he was 
elected to Congress and served for eight years. He died in St. Louis in 1 846. 



52 . HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

County was elected governor for the unexpired term. At 
the election in 1826 Edward Bates was elected to Congress. 

The Beginning of Political Parties. When Missouri 
became a state, there were no well defined political parties. 
Both the state and national elections of 1824 turned upon 
the personal popularity of the candidates. There were two 
western candidates for president, Jackson and Clay, Bar- 
ton, Benton, and John Scott all supported Clay. But in the 
contest in the House of Representatives Benton did all he 
could for Jackson, while Scott and Barton followed the lead 
of Clay and supported John Quincy Adams. 

From 1824 to 1828 political party lines were rapidly 
developing. Jackson became the recognized leader of one 
party, and President Adams, supported by Henry Clay, 
became the leader of the other. The Jackson party took the 
name "Democrat" and the Adams party was called "Whigs." 
These lines were not drawn closely in Missouri politics in the 
election of 1826. Edward Bates and John Scott, the two 
candidates for representatives, were both anti-Jackson men; 
and Benton, who was re-elected to the United States Senate 
that year without opposition, was a strong Jackson man. 

Election of 1828. By 1 828 party lines were becoming well 
defined. Early in January the Democrats, the Jackson 
men, met in Jefferson City and nominated three Jackson 
men for presidential electors. In March the Whigs met and 
nominated three Adams men. But the contest was not 
confined to the electoral tickets. Edward Bates, anti- 
Jackson, was a candidate for re-election to Congress. He 
was opposed by two Jackson men, William Carr Lane and 
Spencer Pettis. It soon became evident that these two men 
would divide the Jackson vote so nearly equally that Bates 



POLITICAL ANNALS 182(^1836 S3 

would be elected. Benton, who since 1824 had been recog- 
nized as the leader of the Jackson men, was asked to decide 
which should withdraw. He promptly gave his decision in 
favor of Pettis, and Lane withdrew. Pettis was elected, 
and the Jackson electoral ticket carried every county in the 
State. The vote was 8,272 for the Jackson ticket and 3,400 
for the Adams ticket. This great victory for the Jackson 
party made Benton, its leader, the political dictator of the 
State for the next twenty years. 

Election of 1830. In the election of 1830 the Whig and 
Democratic parties were well organized, and political lines 
were drawn upon issues as well as upon men. The Demo- 
crats following Jackson were beginning to oppose the 
United States Bank. The Whigs, following Henry Clay, 
favored the United States Bank and a protective tariff. 
The Democrats carried the State, re-elected Spencer Pettis^^ 
and defeated David Barton for re-election to the United 
States Senate,electingAlexanderBuckner, a Jackson Demo- 
crat, to succeed him. Benton, who owed his first election 
to Barton, now used all his influence against Barton's re- 
election. Benton and Barton had become aligned with 
the opposing political parties. 

" Pettis was killed soon after the election in a duel with Major William 
Biddle. Biddle was a brother of Nickolas Biddle, President of the United 
States Bank. Biddle had attacked Pettis through the press during the 
campaign. Pettis had replied. Biddle called very early one morning at 
the hotel where Pettis was staying. Pettis, who had been up late the 
night before, was not up and refused to get up. Biddle went to his room 
and commenced horsewhipping Pettis. This created great excitement, 
and the two men were soon separated. Pettis challenged Biddle. Biddle 
accepted, chose pistols as weapons, and being near sighted, made the 
distance five feet. The men were so close together that the muzzles of 
the long pistols passed each other. Both men were killed. Pettis was 
only twenty-nine years old at the time of his death. 



54 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Election of 1832. President Jackson vetoed the bill 
which rechartered the United States Bank. This made the 
bank question the issue at the election of 1832. Jackson 
carried Missouri over Henry Clay, the Whig candidate. 
The contest seems to have been very close. Lieutenant 
Governor Daniel Dunklin,^^ the Democratic candidate, was 
elected by a plurality of about one thousand, and Lillian W. 
Boggs, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, 
was elected by fewer than one thousand plurality. The 
Whig candidate for Congress was General Wm. H. Ashley^^ 
who had been elected to s.ucceed Spencer Pettis. Gen. 
Ashley was elected over his Democratic opponent by a 
majority of 662. Ashley was very popular, especially with 

^ Daniel Dunklin was born in South Carolina in 1790. He moved to 
Kentucky in 1807 and came to Potosi, Missouri in 18 10. He was a mem- 
ber of the first Constitutional Convention, and lieutenant governor from 
1828 to 183a. He was elected governor in 1832, but resigned in 1836, 
three months before the close of his term, to accept the office of Surveyor- 
General of Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas, offered him by President 
Jackson. He surveyed the boundary line between Missouri and Arkansas. 
He died in 1844. 

^^ General W. H. Ashley was born in Virginia in 1785. He went to 
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri in 1803 and became a manufacturer of saltpeter 
in Washington County. He soon became a merchant. Later he was a 
surveyor under William Rector, the first surveyor general of Missouri. 
Surveying gave Ashley a knowledge of the location of the best land. This 
knowledge he used to good advantage in land purchases. He moved to 
St. Louis in 18 19 and became a dealer in real estate. He was elected 
heutenant governor in i8ao; was a candidate for governor in 1824, but 
was defeated. Ashley engaged extensively in the fur trade. He sent 
large numbers of men up the Missouri and into the Rocky Mountains. 
He is said to have taken the first cannon into the mountains, a six pounder, 
which was used to defend his fort. After serious losses Gen. Ashley made 
a great deal of money in the fur trade. He was elected to Congress in 1831 
and served for five years. He died in 1839, ^"^ ^^^ buried near the 
Lamine River in Cooper County on a 20,000 acre estate which he owned 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1820-1836 55 

the pioneers of the western part of the State. His personal 
popularity enabled him to overcome the small Democratic 
majority. After 1832 Missouri was allowed two congress- 
men. Dr. John Bull of Howard County was elected in 1832 
and served one term when he was succeeded by Albert G. 
Harrison of Calloway County. Ashley and Harrison served 
until the end of the period (1836). 

Senator Buckner lost his life during the cholera epidemic 
in St. Louis in 1833. Governor Dunklin appointed Dr. 
Lewis F. Linn^"* of Ste. Genevieve County to succeed Buck- 
ner. Dr. Linn was re-elected In 1836. The legislature of 
1832 authorized the governor to pay off the State debt. It 
also ordered a state penitentiary to be built. 

" Dr. Lewis F. Linn, called "The Model Senator from Missouri," 
was born in Kentucky in 1795 His mother, whose maiden name was 
Ann Hunter, was first married to Israel Dodge. Her eldest son Henry 
Dodge, half-brother of Senator Linn, later became United States Senator 
from Wisconsin and had a son who became United States Senator from 
Iowa. Thus Ann Hunter was the mother of two United States Senators 
and the grandmother of another. 

Dr. Linn studied medicine in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. He came 
to Ste. Genevieve, where his half brother Henry Dodge lived, to begin the 
practice of medicine. He became the most famous doctor of Missouri. 
His self-sacrificing service on all occasions, but especially during the 
cholera epidemic, caused him to be loved by every one who knew him. 
In 1833 he was appointed to the senate by Governor Dunklin and served 
until his death in 1843. -^^ ^'^^ ^° ^^'^ liked in the senate that he never 
failed to get a bill through, and he introduced many measures beneficial 
to Missouri and the country. Through the efforts of Dr. Linn, the Platte 
Purchase Bill passed the Senate. He pushed through so many bills of 
benefit to the people of Iowa that Iowa claimed him as her senator. His 
greatest work in the Senate was his Oregon bill. Through the operation 
of this law the American people settled and held the Oregon country. 
Dr. Linn is often called "The Father of Oregon" because of this piece of 
legislation. Dr. Linn died suddenly at Ste. Genevieve in 1843. 



56 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Effort to Obtain a New Constitution. A great deal of 
dissatisfaction had developed because of some clauses of the 
State constitution and an effort was made to secure a con- 
stitutional convention. The clause of the constitution 
which provided for the appointment of the State officers 
and the judges and especially the life term of the judges, 
was not approved , of by the new brand of Andrew 
Jackson democracy which had become dominant in Mis- 
souri. The Democrats believed in making all offices elective. 
Many people wanted a constitutional convention for the 
purpose of securing a readjustment of representation in the 
General Assembly. The constitution contained the following 
clause: "Each county shall have at least one representative, 
but the whole number of representatives shall never exceed 
one hundred." There were in 1820 fifteen counties with a 
total of forty-three representatives. In 1836 there were 
sixty counties and ninety-eight representatives. The new 
counties were thinly populated, but each one had to have 
one representative. Yet according to the constitution the 
number of representatives for the entire State could not 
exceed one hundred. This caused inequality in representa- 
tion. The number of representatives in the older, more 
populous counties had to be reduced in order to give repre- 
sentatives to the new counties. The older and richer coun- 
ties v/ere usually Whig and the new pioneer counties were 
always Democratic. This growing inequality was favorable 
to the Democrats and yet at the same time was undemocratic. 
This made the Whigs want a constitutional convention. 
The General Assembly in 1835 submitted a resolution calling 
a constitutional convention. The resolution, made the 
county the basis of representation in the convention. This 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 82c^i 836 57 

made it certain that the frontier counties would control the 
convention if it were called. Therefore the more populous 
communities voted against the resolution and it was de- 
feated. The vote stood: for the convention, 5,445; against 
It, 10,756. 

Election of 1836. On January 8, Jackson Day, 1836 a 
caucus of Democratic party leaders met at Jefferson City 
and nominated Lieutenant Governor Lillian W. Boggs for 
governor and Franklin Cannon for lieutenant governor. 
Later the Whigs met and nominated their most popular man 
William H. Ashley for governor and James Jones for lieu- 
tenant governor. The State election under the first consti- 
tution occurred in August. The campaign was exciting. 
Party lines were closely drawn. Twenty-seven thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-two votes, a large number 
for that time, were polled. Boggs and Cannon were elected. 
Ashley's personal popularity had been sufficient to over- 
come the Democratic majority in the congressional elec- 
tions for the preceding five years. But he failed as a 
candidate for governor in 1836, probably because political 
lines were becoming more and more closely drawn. If 
Ashley could not win, no Whig could win in Missouri. 
Therefore, the November election excited little Interest. 
The total vote polled was only 18,332. The Van Buren elec- 
tors carried the State by a safe majority. Missouri remained 
consistently Democratic until the Civil W'ar. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER m 

1. What officers were elected at the first election of state officers? 

2. Describe the "caucus." Who were members? 

3. Give a brief account of the life of Alexander McNair. 

4. What plans were made for a state capital at the first session of the 
legislature? 



58 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

5. Tell the story of Benton's election to the United States Senate. 

6. Why was the election of a congressman in Missouri of special impor- 
tance in 1824? Who was elected? 

7. Who was the second governor of Missouri? Why did he veto the bill 
making dueling a crime? 

8. Tell of the beginning of political parties in Missouri. 

9. Give a brief sketch of the life of Colonel John Miller. 

10. What evidence was there of the existence of political parties in 1828? 
Give the vote for each party. 

11. Why was Barton defeated in 1830? Who succeeded him as senator? 

12. What was the chief issue in IVIissouri in 1832? How did the vote 
stand in the state election? 

13. Give a sketch of the life of General Ashley. 

14. Who was Dr. LLon? Why was he so popular? 

15. Why did some people want a new constitution? 

16. Why was the resolution calling a constitutional convention defeated? 

17. Why was the vote polled at the November election 1836 so much 
smaller than the vote that had been polled in August of the same year? 



CHAPTER IV 

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1820-1836 

The Growth. The social and economic life in Missouri 
during the period 1 820-1836 was essentially a pioneer life. 
The pioneer cleared the forest, fought the Indian, killed 
the wild beasts, and endured malaria. He was ever- 




I 1^ U>i«lTAC"lCl/T|«ll.T<)(l'ry 



Missouri Counties in 1821 

Reproduced by permission of the Political Science Department 

of the University of Missouri 

59 



6o 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




MissoiIri Counties in 1830 

Reproduced by permission of the Political Science Department 

of the University of Missouri 

optimistic and confident of his own power. With his ax and 
his rifle he conquered the wilderness, provided for a large 
family and laid the foundations for a great State. 

One of the best indications of the growth of the State is 
the organization of the counties. In 1820 there were fifteen 
counties. In 1836 the number had increased to fifty-five. 



ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1820-1836 61 

The people had pushed up the Missouri to the western 
boundary, forming a tier of counties on either side of the 
river. They had also pushed up the Mississippi to the 
northern boundary. The settlers soon began pushing back 
from the rivers up the small streams and a second tier of 
counties was organized. Another group of immigrants 
pushed southwest from St. Louis along the divide now fol- 
lowed by the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad to the 
level plateau in the southwestern part of the State and in 
1833 organized Greene County. In a short time a group of 
counties was organized in that section of the State.^ The 
increase in population during this period was very great. 
In sixteen years the population had doubled twice. In 
1820 there were 66, ^u6 people living in the State. In 1840, 
four years after the close of the period, there were 383,702. 
St. Louis. In 1820 St. Louis was a city of about 5,000 
people. Its assessed valuation was nearly one million dol- 

^ The following list of counties arranged according to the year of 
organization will enable the reader to trace on the map the growth of the 
various sections of the State. Counties organized before the organization 
of the state government Sept. 19, 1820: Cape Girardeau, Clark, Cooper, 
Franklin, Howard, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, New 
Madrid, Pike, St. Charles, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Washington, Wayne. 

After organization of the State Government: 

1820 — Boone, Calloway, Chariton, Cole, Gasconade, Lafayette, 
Perry, Ralls, Saline, Ray. 

1821 — St. Francis, Scott. ' 

1822 — Clay. 

1826 — Jackson, Marion. 

1829 — Crawford, Randolph. 

1 83 1 — Monroe. 

1832 — Pulaski. 

1833 — Carrol, Clinton, Green, Lewis, Morgan, Pettis, Ripley, Warren. 

1834 — Henry, Johnson. 

1835 — Barry, Benton, Cass, Polk, Shelby, Stoddard. 

1836 — Audrain, Caldwell, Davies. 



62 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

lars. There were more than one hundred business houses 
and over six hundred residences. The first steamboat had 
arrived at the city just three years before, and commerce 
was beginning to increase because of the new method of 
transportation. In 1822 the State legislature passed an act 
incorporating St. Louis as a city. The next spring a city 
election was held and William Carr Lane was elected the 
first mayor. The city was divided into wards, and civic 
improvement was promoted. Mayor Lane was especially 
interested in building good wharfs for the advancement of 
the trade of the city. The growth of the city was gradual 
until 1833 when population and business began to increase 
rapidly. By the end of the period (1836) St. Louis had a 
population of about 10,000. The increase in trade was even 
greater than the increase in population. Steamboat arrivals 
had reached nearly two thousand annually. The railroad 
convention of that year shows the interest of the people in 
expanding commerce. 

The Fur Trade. St. Louis was founded by Laclede as a 
trading post, and the fur trade was the chief business of the 
city during the territorial days. St. Louis is to-day (1920) 
the first city in the world in the value of furs bought and sold. 
But the first sixteen years of Missouri statehood marks the 
most interesting as well as the most profitable period in 
the history of the trade. Furs formed a part of the Sante Fe 
trade which began in 1821. But the great impetus to the fur 
trade came from Lieutenant Governor William H. Ashley. 
Ashley organized the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in 
1 822. This company sent traders up the Platte River, across 
the mountains to Salt Lake, and even to the Pacific Coast. 
Ashley improved the trade in three ways. Instead of 



ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1 820-1 836 63 

depending entirely upon the Indian trade he hired white 
men for trappers. He introduced the annual rendezvous^ 
at appointed places where his men met the trappers, leaving 
supplies and gathering the furs accumulated during the year. 
He used pack trains for carrying his furs and supplies. The 
fur trader had heretofore been compelled to work near 
the navigable streams, but Ashley's pack trains enabled the 
trappers and traders to go anywhere they could find the best 
furs. Ashley's trappers traversed the great mountain region 
from the head waters of the Missouri to the Rio Grande and 
from the Columbia to southern California. They, rather 
than Fremont, were the real pathfinders.^ By 1830 Ashley 
had made a fortune in the fur trade, and retired. John 

2 Turner in his "Rise of the New West," describes these meeting places 
as follows: "Yearly, in June and July, a rendezvous was held in the 
mountains, to which the brigades of trappers returned with the products of 
their hunt, to receive the supplies for the coming year. Here also came 
Indians to trade, and bands of free trappers, lone wanderers in the moun- 
tains, to sell their furs and secure supplies. The rendezvous was usually 
some verdure-clad valley or park, set in the midst of snow-capped moun- 
tains, a paradise of game." 

^ Jedediah Smith was one of the most daring of these trappers. In 
1826 he left the Salt Lake rendezvous, traveled southwest to the head 
waters of the Colorado, then down that river and across the desert to 
southern California, then north about three hundred miles. He then 
crossed the mountains south of the Humbolt River and returned to Salt 
Lake. The next year he returned to California by the Humbolt River 
route, and pushed north into the Oregon Lake region. Here his men were 
all killed by the Indians. Smith escaped and made his way alone to the 
British post at Vancouver where he wintered. In the spring of 1829 he 
ascended the Columbia and reached the rendezvous of his company. In 
three years he had explored and made known the principal natural routes 
of travel between the great Salt Lake and the Pacific. In 1831 while 
traveling on the Sante Fe trail near the southwestern corner of the present 
state of Kansas, Smith and his companions got lost. They reached the 
Cimaron River, almos't dead from thirst. While digging for water in 
the sandy bed of the river, Smith was shot by an Indian. 



64 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Jacob Astor's company, known as the American Fur Com- 
pany crushed out or absorbed its rivals and secured a monop- 
oly of all the fur trade west of the Mississippi River. In 
1834 Astor retired and the company came under control of 
a group of St. Louis fur traders headed by Chouteau. The 
fur trade was very profitable. Many St. Louis merchants 
laid the foundation of their fortunes in this trade. But 
after the pioneer period, the romance and excitement gave 
way to the business methods of the monopoly. These 
methods aroused the intense hatred of the trappers and 
small traders, but they brought large and regular profits to 
the company. 

The Sante Fe Trade and Trail. Long before Missouri 
became a state, efforts had been made to open trade with 
the Spaniards at Sante Fe. All these efforts had failed, 
and the traders had usually been thrown into Spanish prisons 
for a term of several years. The year Missouri was ad- 
mitted, the Sante Fe trade had its real beginning. William 
Becknell of Franklin, Missouri, led the first successful trading 
expedition to Sante Fe.^ The same year, the Mexicans 
declared their independence of Spain. The officials of the 
Mexican government charged the Americans high tariff 
duties, but they did not imprison them as the Span- 
iards had done. The "handsome profit" made by the 
Becknell expedition in 1821 caused three expeditions to be 
undertaken the next year. One of these was led by Becknell. 

^ This expedition was organized in August, 1821, and from the Articles 
of Agreement which the men were to sign, seems to have been both a 
trading and trapping expedition. There were between twenty and thirty 
men in the company. Each contributed an equal amount of the capital. 
They left Arrow Rock September i, 1821 and returned January 22, 1822, 
having made "a handsome profit" on the trip. 



ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1820-1836 65 




A Missouri Pack. Train to Santa Fe, 1820 

From Stevens* Missouri, the Center State, by permission of the Missouri His- 
torical Society 

He used wagons Instead of pack mules, and took a more 
direct route than he had taken the previous year. This 
expedition was a much greater success than the first one. 
After 1822 the trade grew rapidly. Two great difficulties 
confronted the traders. One was Mexican tariffs, and the 
other was the Indians of the plains. The Missouri traders 
appealed to the United States government for protection. 
Through the influence of Senator Benton, Congress in 1825 
appropriated money to survey and mark the trail, and to 
make treaties with the Indian tribes between western 
Missouri and the Mexican border. The trail was surveyed 
and marked by Benjamin Reeves and George C. Sibley. 
President Adams appointed American consuls for Sante Fe 
and Chihauhau. It was the duty of these officials to see 



66 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




Santa Fe Trail Marker 

that the American traders were treated fairly. The trade 
was three times as great in 1826 as it had been in 1824. 
In 1827 the profits were very great, and there was no report 
of Indian robberies or tariff difficulties. The next year the 
quantity of goods and the number of men engaged in the 
trade was doubled. But the Mexicans had put a new tariff 
in operation, and had prohibited the importation of a 
number of the articles the traders had brought with them. 
On the return trip the Indians gave the traders serious 
trouble.^ This led to more appeals to the United States 
government for protection. These failed to bring the 
desired results and the traders organized as a military com- 
pany and protected themselves. 

^ "Two young men belonging to one caravan and one belonging to 
another we;'e killed. The first company was robbed of nearly a thousand 
horses and mules, while the second lost all its animals, and the men were 
forced to abandon their wagons, walking the hundreds of miles back to 
Missouri." — Stephens, Mo. Hist. Review, Vol. X, p. 289. 



ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 182(^1836 67 

The trade was still very profitable, bringing returns that 
varied from thirty or forty per cent to two thousand per cent. 
The average number of men engaged in the trade in the ear- 
lier years was about ninety. Two-thirds of these were 
owners and one-third employees. By the end of our period 
the average number of men engaged in the trade was more 
than one hundred seventy-five, and not more than twenty 
were owners. Thus the trade passed more and more into 
the hands of the capitalist, as the fur trade did, and the 
common man became an employee instead of a partner in 
the business. The cargo of the trader was chiefly cotton 
goods. He brought back furs, horses and mules, ^ and silver. 

Money and Banks. The pioneer could get along without 
money or with very little money. But even the pioneer 
needed some money. When Missouri was admitted, she 
had one bank, but it failed in 1822 and the money it had 
issued became worthless. Missouri never chartered another 
bank during the pioneer period. A branch of the United 
States Bank was established at St. Louis in 1829 but ceased 
to exist in 1833. During the remainder of the period Mis- 
souri was without a bank. There was no money in the State 
except the wildcat paper money^ from other states and the 
silver which came to the State through the Sante Fe trade. 

* Dr. Stephens in his article on Missouri and the Sante Fe trade says: 
"Missouri apparently owes her pre-eminence in the mule-raising industry 
to the early impetus received from the Sante Fe trade. As early as 1823 it 
was noted that the returning caravan included four hundred Jacks, Jen- 
nets, and mules." Every year hundreds of these animals were brought 
back by the traders. In 1832 the number reached thirteen hundred. 

^ "Wildcat money" was the name given to the paper money issued by 
state banks. The state banks were chartered and given the right to issue 
paper money. In most cases the state laws providing for bank charters 
failed to require the banks to limit the amount of paper money according 



68 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

But the silver money was always good money and no one ever 
lost on it because of a bank failure. Missouri was the only 
state in the Union that did not have a bank. Missouri had 
the silver from the Sante Fe trade and did not want a bank. 
She had better money than a bank could make. Benton, 
supported by a majority of the people of the State, steadily 
refused to allow a state bank to be chartered until after 1836. 
Later when the General Assembly of Missouri did charter 
a bank, the amount and kind of paper money that it could 
issue was prescribed by law so the bank would always have 
hard money (gold and silver) enough to redeem its issue of 
paper money. The statesman and leaders who refused to 
charter wildcat banks encouraged the Sante Fe trade. They 
expected the hard money brought into the State through 
this trade to furnish the people money with which to carry 
on business. 

The Steamboat Traffic. The steamboat traffic in Mis- 
souri was just beginning in 1820. The first steamboat had 
arrived at St. Louis just three years before, and the first 
steamboat voyage up the Missouri was made in 18 19. The 
steamboat gradually supplanted other types of boats. By 
the end of the period it was the chief vessel used in the river 
trade, although much of the down-stream commerce was still 
carried in flatboats. From 1820 to 1836 more than six 

to the gold and silver capital the bank had with which to redeem the 
paper money. Many banks in other states issued a large amount of paper 
money and got it into circulation in Missouri. When the money began 
coming back to the bank for redemption the bank failed, closed its doors 
and went out of existence. All people who had money issued by that 
bank simply lost it. That meant that the hogs, cattle, corn, or whatever 
product they had sold for that money had been taken from them legally 
(not directly but indirectly) by the men who had organized the bank and 
issued the worthless money. 



ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1 820-1 836 69 

hundred steamboats were built for the Mississippi trade, but 
sixty-five were lost during the same period by explosions.^ 
In 1833 I'epair docks were opened at St. Louis, and about the 
same time an insurance company was organized there for 
the purpose of insuring steamboats and their cargoes. In 
1834 there were 234 steamboats on the Mississippi and its 
tributaries. During June 1 836 seventy-six different steamers 
arrived at St. Louis, and the total number of entries was one 
hundred forty-six. 

Indians. The Indians gave very little trouble during the 
period. The success of the government in dealing with the 
Indians of Missouri was due to the tact and ability of Cap- 
tain William Clark. Clark became Indian agent on his 
return from the famous Lewis and Clark expedition, and 
served until 18 12 when he was appointed governor of the 
territory. He was again appointed Indian agent soon after 
the State was admitted and served until his death in 1838. 
He had the pleasure of seeing the final departure of the 
Indians from Missouri soil in 1832. It was William Clark 
who in 1836 made the treaty with the Indians for the Platte 
Purchase, by which they surrendered that country to the 
white man and moved west of the Missouri River. 

8 Disaster to steamboats in the days of the great steamboat traffic was 
very frequent. Explosions were not the only causes. Fires were frequent, 
snags and sand-bars in the river, collisions, and breaking of machinery all 
contributed their share to the list. A list of disasters published in De 
Bow's Review in 1849 including disasters from 18 16 to 1848 puts the total 
number of steamboats lost at 233. The property loss is placed at ^3,090,- 
365. The number of killed and wounded in these accidents is given as 
4,660 of whom 2,563 were killed. The "Western Boatman" for 1848 says 
that about fifty per cent of all steamboats are worn out and fifty per cent 
are lost by accident of some kind; that the average length of service of 
those worn out is five years and of the other class four years. 



70 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




Pioneer Steamboat on the Missouri 
From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, by permission of the Missouri Histor- 
ical Society 

Two Indian Wars of the thirties affected Missouri. The 
first was the Black Hawk War in Illinois in 1832. Fearing 
Indian raids. Governor Miller ordered General Richard 
Gentry to raise one thousand volunteers for service in 
guarding the frontier. The thousand men were secured, and 
the frontier in Clark County was guarded during the summer 
and fall. 

The second was the Seminole War in Florida. ^The 
United States government had attempted to remove the 
Indians from Georgia and Florida. They refused to go and 
took up arms. The war dragged on for several years. 
Finally the United States government called on Missouri 
for a regiment^ of troops for the Seminole War. Colonel 

^ Missouri was the only state called upon to furnish volunteers for the 
Seminole War. President Van Buren asked Senator Benton if he thought 
that Missourians could be induced to go so far from home as Florida to 



ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1 820-1 836 71 

Richard Gentry was given the task of raising the regiment. 
He quickly secured the required number of volunteers and 
in a short time was leading his men against the Indians in 
the swamps of Florida where he was killed in battle. This 
was the last of Missouri's Indian troubles. 

Schools, Churches and Social Organizations. In this 
pioneer age not a great deal of attention could be given to 
schools and churches by the average citizen. Yet this side 
of life was not forgotten. The constitution declared that 
''Schools and means of education shall forever be encouraged 
in this state." The act of Congress which admitted Missouri 
set apart the sixteenth section of every township and 
seventy-two sections of SaHne lands for school purposes. 
But the progress of schools was slow. About fifty schools 

assist in fighting the Seminole Indians. Senator Benton answered: "The 
Missourians will go wherever their services are needed." Benton went 
immediately to J. R. Poinsett, Secretary of War, and urged him to issue 
an order for raising volunteers in Missouri. Poinsett wrote a letter to 
Colonel Richard Gentry under date of September 8, 1837 telling him that 
the war department would accept a regiment of Missouri volunteers if it 
could be raised and got to Tampa Bay, Florida, by the middle ot October 
or the first of November at the latest. This was a very short time to raise 
a regiment and get it to Tampa Bay, Florida under the conditions of travel 
of that time. If Poinsett intended to make the time so short that Colonel 
Gentry would not undertake the task he was mistaken in his estimate. 
Under the conditions of travel of that time Colonel Gentry could not have 
received Poinsett's letter before the middle of September, yet he raised 
the regiment and left Columbia on October 6. He marched overland to 
JeflFerson Barracks below St. Louis. There he and his men were mustered 
into the service of the United States. Aher being detained several days 
they were transported to Tampa Bay v/here they arrived November 15. 
On December ist, in company with the regular army, they left Tampa 
Bay for the interior. They had marched about seventy miles when they 
met the Indians. The Indians were defeated but Colonel Gentry was 
killed, and about one hundred of his men killed or wounded. 



72 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



were organized between 1820 and 1833. In 1833 the legisla- 
ture authorized the governor to appoint a committee to 
formulate a system of common and primary schools. This 
committee reported a plan for a school system which was 
enacted into law by the legislature in 1835. This act pro- 
vided for teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, and English 
grammar. 

Three great churches, following the example of the 
Methodists in 18 16, established state wide organizations. 
The Catholic Diocese of St. Louis was formed in 1826. The 
Presbyterian Synod was organized in 1832, and the Baptist 
General Conference was established in 1834. The Missouri 
Temperance Society was organized in 1832. Two great 
fraternal orders also effected state organizations; the Ma- 
sonic Grand Lodge was organized in 1821 and the Odd 
Fellows in 1834. 

Manners and Customs. The great mass of the people 
were rough, backwoods pioneers. They had their vices, 
which were more apparent than their virtues, but under- 
neath there was truth, honesty, and hospitality. The 
pioneer said little. "I reckon you kin stay" was the best 
welcome the traveler might expect, but everything the 
cabin afforded was at the guest's service. The Missouri 
taverns of the early days were noted for their hospitality. 
Prices^° were not high and the tavern keepers usually did all 

^"Joseph Charless, who had edited the "Gazette" for twelve years, 
decided to retire and keep a tavern. In September, 1821 the following 
advertisement appeared in the Gazette: "Joseph Charless informs the 
gentlemen who visit St. Louis and travelers generally that he has opened 
a house for their reception on the corner of fifth street on the public square 
of St. Louis where by the moderate charges and attention to the comfort 
of his guests he will fendeavor to meet general approbation. Boarding 
and lodging per week ^4. 50, boarding only ^3. 50. Boarding less than a 



ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1 820-1 836 73 

they could for the comfort of their guests. The travelers of 
that day were not likely to grumble about the food served. ^^ 
While the tavern keeper was hospitable, he expected his 
guests to be appreciative. All used a common wash room 
and a common towel. -^^ There was no regulation against a 
common drinking cup in those days. Hunting was business, 
not sport. Bee hunters were numerous, and bees' wax was 
an article of export. There was much co-operation in 
pioneer society. It was ''help me and I will help you" at 
log-rollings, house-raisings, wood-choppings, corn-shuck- 
ings, and rail-splittings. Everybody went to a funeral, to a 
camp meeting, or to county court. The natural ability to 
govern themselves was never better displayed by the Anglo- 
Saxon people than in the pioneer days in Missouri. Courts 
were organized as soon as possible. The justice was fre- 
quently ignorant of law, but he usually arrived at a just 
decision^^ even though he had to contend with skilled lawyers. 

week twenty-five cents per meal. Lodging per night in separate bed 
twenty-five cents. Lodging where two occupy one bed per night iiVi" 
cents." William G. Rice, a tavern keeper on the Boone's Lick road, 
told his guests that a dinner, consisting of corn bread and "common 
fixins" was twenty-five cents, wheat bread and*'chicken fixins"37^ cents. 

" The following story is told of a tavern keeper named Graves. 
One day a traveler grumbled about the cooking. Graves caught him by 
the collar, jerked him out of his chair at the table, and kicked him out 
doors. "The blamed skunk," he said, "he insulted my boarders and I 
won't stand for it. My boarders eat my fare and like it; and when a man 
makes fun of my grub, it is the same as saying they haven't sense enough 
to know good grub from bad. I am bound to protect my boarders." 

^^ Judge Quarles, an uncle of Mark Twain, kept a tavern in Paris. 
A guest came to the landlord with a request for a clean towel in the 
common wash room. "Sir," said the Judge with some show of reproof, 
"two hundred men have wiped on that towel and you are the first to 
complain." 

^^ Squire Lewis, a tavern keeper in Clark County, in one of his first 
cases was called upon to rule upon many objections raised by the opposing 



74 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

In addition to these difficulties there were numerous others 
which the pioneer had to encounter. Reptiles, wild beasts, 
and disease were ever threatening the pioneer. Probably 
malaria was the "worst of these. Doctors were scarce; 
people used many home-made remedies. Quinine and 
calomel were the principal medicines used. As this pioneer 
period drew to a close it gradually merged into a more pro- 
gressive stage ot civilization. 

lawyers. With strict impartiality the Squire ruled in favor of the lawyers 
alternately. But at the end of the trial, two consecutive rulings were made 
in favor of the plaintiff. ' Look here," said the lawyer for the defense, 
"Squire, you decided for the other side the last time and this was our turn 
to get the decision." "I know how I done," said the Squire, with dignity, 
"I gave half the pints to the plaintiff and half to the defendant, and never 
put one single pint for myself till the close of the case. And then you kick. 
Seems to me you don't appreciate fair treatment." 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV 

1. What indication was there in 1836 of an increased population in Mis- 
souri? 

2. What part of the State made the most progress during the period? 

3. What was the population in 1820? In 1840? 

4. Draw a sketch map of the State and draw a line around the organized 
counties in 1820; another around those in 1836. 

5. What was the population of St. Louis in 1820? The assessed valuation 
of its property? 



PART III 

MISSOURI A STATE IN THE MAKING 
1836-187a 

CHAPTER I 

GENERAL SURVEY 

The New Epoch. The second period of Missouri's state- 
hood extends from approximately 1836 to about 1870. 
During these thirty-four years Missouri was a state in the 
making.^ "This period marked the transition of Missouri 
from colony to colonizer; from a pioneer community to a 
settled commonwealth; from a frontier state to a state of 
national importance; from a district of little wealth and 
population to one great in industries and people. However, 
there were lacking several important lines of development 
and activity that are essential to the modern, fully realized 
American state." 

The modern American state not only makes progress 
and meets the needs of her citizens through the efforts and 

^ Mr. Floyd C. Shoemaker has written a most excellent brief survey of 
Missouri history which is published in "The Missouri Historical Review" 
of July, 1913. The author has adopted Mr. Shoemaker's organization 
of periods because they are based upon facts of economic and social devel- 
opment rather than upon dates of the beginning of war. In the chapters 
on the general survey of the periods Mr. Shoemaker's article has been 
used freely. 

75 



76 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

enterprise of individuals, but, as a great political organiza- 
tion, she also takes over these activities that can be managed 
best by the state under our democratic ideals of govern- 
ment. Missouri, as a state, did not realize these ideals of 
governmental activity until about 1870, except in the eco- 
nomic field. Neither did the co-operative social life of Mis- 
souri develop on a state-wide plan until about the same date. 

The Beginning of the Period. Two important events 
bear the date 1836, and several important movements have 
their beginning near that year. The Platte Purchase, which 
rounded out Missouri's territorial boundaries, was made in 
1836, and the first railroad convention was held in St. Louis 
the same year. The public school system was organized by 
act of the legislature in 1835. The Missouri State Bank was 
chartered in 1837. St. Louis, which had grown very slowly 
during the seventy years of its existence, began a very 
rapid, healthy growth about 1835. It soon became one of 
the great cities of the country. Finally, in 1839, ^^^ legisla- 
ture passed an act establishing a State University at Colum- 
bia. 

General Progress. From 1836 to 1870 the development 
of Missouri was rapid. In 1836 fifty-five Missouri counties 
had been established; in 1861 the 114th county. Worth, 
was organized. In 1840 the population of the State was 
383,702; in 1870 the census showed that there were 1,721,295 
people living in Missouri. During this period the great 
German and Irish immigration set in. This was especially 
large during the forties and fifties. After 1865 many immi- 
grants from north and east settled in the State. Missouri 
rose in importance in national affairs fully as fast as she grew 
in population. This was equally true in politics, in war, and 



GENERAL SURVEY 77 

in colonization. We have seen that Missouri was the only 
state to furnish volunteer troops for the Seminole War. 
Her part in the Mexican War was equally prominent. No 
state exercised a greater influence on the destiny of the 
nation during the Civil War than did Missouri. The 
colonizing influence of Missouri was felt throughout the 
West; some states were largely settled by Missourians. 

Economic Development. The economic development 
of Missouri 'during this period was very great. Her 
first State bank was established in 1837. The foundation 
of her present State banking law was enacted in 1857. In 
1 85 1 an extensive railroad building era began. Missouri 
loaned her credit to the various companies. This enabled 
them to make rapid progress. The railroads in turn greatly 
developed the State. The nine miles of wood road in 1851 
had by 1870 inci;eased to over two thousand miles of steel 
road. The policy of extending credit to railroads put 
Missouri in debt about ^25,000,000. The payment of this 
debt required heavy taxation. In 1856 the revenue of the 
State was about ^500,000. In 1870 it was nearly three 
million a year. The advance in agriculture was as rapid as 
was that of the railroads. In 1850 the value of farmland 
in Missouri was ^87,000,000 and only seven per cent was 
improved. In 1870 farm values had risen to $394,000,000 
and twenty per cent of Missouri land was improved. The 
total taxable wealth of Missouri increased from $47,000,000 
in 1850 to $575,000,000 in 1870. The chief characteristic 
of the period was great economic development. 

Social Development. Little was accomplished in state- 
wide social organizations, outside of the field of religion. 
All the important churches established state-wide organiza- 



78 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

tions. A beginning was made in state-wide voluntary 
associations. Examples of these were the State Medical 
Association, 1850; the State Teachers' Association, 1856; the 
Agricultural Association, 1853; the Press Association, 1867. 
The first Woman's Club organized in Missouri was the 
Woman Suffrage Club of 1867. 

Education. In the field of public education, progress 
was very slow. This period was the day of the private 
academies and colleges. Almost every community of any 
wealth had its private academy or college. The greater part 
of the private schools and colleges that exist to-day were 
founded between 1836 and 1870. The real advance in 
public education belongs to the next period rather than to 
this one. The office of State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction was not created until 1839, ^^^^ after two years 
the office was assumed by the Secretary of State, who held 
it until 1853. In 1839 there were only 114 public school 
districts in Missouri, in which a total of 163 months of 
school were taught. Only 5,000 of the 100,000 children of 
Missouri attended these schools. The amount of money 
expended was $2,300. A real advance was made in public 
education between 1856 and i860, but the Civil War was a 
great detriment to the public schools. In 1870 the schools 
had begun a rapid development. There were 7,500 school 
districts which enrolled 280,000 pupils, about one half of 
the school population of Missouri. In higher public educa- 
tion only the beginnings had been made. The State Univer- 
sity was founded in 1839, ^^^ was not supported by taxation 
until 1867. In that year it received an appropriation of 
$10,000. In 1870 it had only ten teachers and enrolled 
only 243 students. No state normal school had yet been 



GENERAL SURVEY 79 

established. The day of public school education was just 
beginning to dawn. 

The Civil War. The Civil War, so far as Missouri was 
concerned, was an Interruption of progress. It retarded 
industry, schools, religious work, in fact every thing that 
tends to make a modern, progressive state. The beginning 
of the new period comes five years after the war is over, 
after the State is beginning to recover from the effects of war 
and men have returned to ordinary work. The war will be 
treated in two chapters in this period as an interruption of 
progress rather than as the beginning of a new period. 

The Aim. The story of the progress of Missouri during 
the period of "A State in the Making" will be told in five 
chapters. One will deal with the political annals to i860, 
one with social development, and one with economic prog- 
ress. The story of the war and of reconstruction will be 
given in two chapters. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER I 

1. What are the dates of the second period of Missouri's statehood? 

2. What name is given to the period? 

3. Why was Missouri not yet a modem state? 

4. What events of 1836 mark the beginning of the new period? 

5. What indications were there of the beginning of a new period in the 
years immediately preceding and following 1836? 

6. How many counties were there in Missouri in 1836? How many are 
there now? When was the last county organized? Locate it on the map. 

7. What was the population of Missouri in 1840? In 1870? 

8. What two classes of foreign immigrants came' to Missouri during the 
period? Can you find the causes of this immigration? 

9. How many miles of railroad were built during the period? 

10. How much did the building of railroads put the State in debt? 

11. What was the valuation of Missouri farm lands in 1870? 



8o HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

12. What was the increase in taxable wealth from 1850-1870? 

13. Name some state-wide voluntary associations formed during the 
period. 

14. Compare the pubUc schools with the private schools during the period. 

15. How many children were there in the pubUc schools of Missouri in 
1839? In 1870? In 1920? 

16. What is the aim in part two? 

17. With what do the chapters of the period deal? 



CHAPTER II 

POLITICAL ANNALS 1836-1860^ 

Election of 1840. About the time of the beginning of 
the new period, elections began to be determined more by 
political issues than by the personality of the candidates. 
It is true that Benton's personal domination continued long 
into the new period, but Benton had always depended for 
his power upon his ability to select the right side of a political 
issue rather than upon personal popularity. 

^ Results of election 1 840-1 860 in tabular form: 
Election for governor. 

Democrat: Thomas Reynolds 29,625 

Whig: John B. Clark 22,212 

Reynold's majority 7A^3 

For president. 

Democrat: Van Buren 29,760 

Whig: Harrison 22,972 

Van Buren 's majority 6,788 

Election of 1844 for governor, 

Hard-Democrat: John C. Edwards 36,978 

Soft-Democrat: Charles H. Allen 3i>357 

Edward's majority 5)62i 

For president. 

Democrat: Polk 41,369 

Whig: Clay 31,251 

Polk's majority 10,1 18 

81 



82 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

With the development of political parties and campaign 
issues, state elections came to be controlled more and more 
by national issues. During the four year period 1 836-1840 

Election of 1848 for governor. 

Democrat: Austin A. King 48,921 

Whig: James S. Rollins 33j968 

King's majority 14,953 

For president, 

Democrat: Lewis Cass 40,077 

Whig: Zachary Taylor 32,784 

Cass's majority 7>406 

Election of 1852 for governor. 

Democrat: Sterling Price 46,245 

Whig: James Winston 3'^y7^4- 

Price's majority I3}46l 

For president: 

Democrat: Franklin Pierce 3^>3S3 

Whig: Winfield Scott 29,984 

Pierce's majority 8,369 

Election of i8(;6 for governor, 

Anti-Benton-Democrat: Trusten Polk 46,993 

American: Robert C. Ewing 40,589 

Ben ton-Democrat: Thos. H. Benton 27,618 

Polk's plurality 6,404 

For president. 

Democrat: James Buchanan 58,164 

American: Millard Fillmore 48,524 

Buchanan's majority 9,640 

Special election, 1857 for governor, 

Democrat: Robert M. Stewart 47,975 

American: James S. Rollins 47,641 

Stewart's majority 334 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 836-1860 83 

the bank question was the leading question in national 
politics, and in Missouri various phases of the same question 
came into prominence. At the election of 1840 Thomas 
Reynolds^ was elected governor. Reynolds was a strong 
Benton man, and was against a United States Bank and in 
favor of "hard" money. He was a member of the "Central 
Clique."^ He and his group worked for "hard" money 

Election of i860 for governor, 

Douglas-Democrat: C. F. Jackson 74,446 

Constitutional -Unionist: Sample Orr 64,583 

Breckenridge-Democrat: Hancock Jackson i\,^i^ 

Republican: James B. Gardenshire 6,135 

C. F. Jackson's plurality 93863 

For president, 

Douglas-Democrat: Stephen A. Douglas 58,801 

Constitutional-Unionists: John Bell 58,372 

Breckenridge-Democrat: John C. Breckenridge 3'^y3^7 

Republican: Abraham Lincoln 17,028 

Douglas' plurality 429 

- Thomas Reynolds was a native of Kentucky. He had lived for some 
years in Illinois where he had become judge of the State Supreme Court. 
He came to Howard County, Missouri in 1838, and began the practice of 
law. He was elected representative and chosen speaker of the House. 
In 1840 he was elected governor. Governor Reynolds seems to have been 
an able man. He drew up an act abolishing imprisonment for debt in 
Missouri. It was one of the shortest laws ever passed. It consisted of the 
simple sentence: "Imprisonment for debt is hereby forever abolished." 
On the morning of February 9, 1844, Governor Reynolds asked a blessing 
at the breakfast table. He had never done so before. After breakfast he 
went to his office in the Governor's Mansion, and after locking the door 
and closing the window shutters, committed suicide by shooting himself. 
He left a note in which he said that slander and abuse of him by his enemies 
had made his life a burden. 

^ The "Central Clique" was the name given to a group of Democratic 
politicians living in the central part of the State. The men lived in 
Howard, Saline, Cooper, Cole and Calloway counties. This group worked 
with Thomas H. Benton and controlled the Democratic party for years. 



84 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

legislation until they succeeded in 1843 ^^ passing two laws 
for correcting abuses of the currency. 

The Split in Missouri Democracy. In 1839 ^ financial 
panic caused most of the banks of the West to suspend 
specie payment. The Bank of Missouri, which was located 
at St. Louis, refused to receive the money of these banks. ^ 
This caused the merchants of St. Louis a great deal of 
trouble. Senator Benton and most of the Democratic lead- 
ers took the side of the Bank in the controversy, but a large 
number of Democrats in St. Louis disapproved of the action 
of the Bank. They organized and voted with the Whigs at 
the city election in 1840. From St. Louis the division spread 
to all parts of the State. The supporters of the Bank were 
called "Hards," and their opponents, "Softs." By the 
spring of 1844 nearly one-half of the Democratic papers of 
the State were for the "Softs" and in open opposition to 
Senator Benton and the "Central Clique." 

The Election of 1844. When the Democratic Conven- 
tion met in Boonville in May, 1844, the "Hards" obtained 
control of the convention.^ The "Hards" had planned to 

^ The "Missouri Republican" said, "The bank excitement continued 
very high yesterday. Wherever two or three met the action of the bank 
was the theme of conversation and in every circle, that we have fallen 
in with, whatever might be the politics of those composing it, the resolu- 
tion of the directors was condemned without measure or reserve. In 
truth, there never has been in this community so universal and unanimous 
a condemnation of any measure as this. Execrations loud and deep are 
freely uttered in every quarter by men of all parties." 

^The "Hards" and "Softs" were nearly equal in the convention. 
There were contesting delegat ons ftom St. Louis and from Benton 
County. The "Central Clique" (Hards) had control of the party machin- 
ery and both the "Hard" delegations were seated, thus giving the "Hards" 
control of the convention. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 836-1860 85 

nominate Governor M. M. Marmaduke/ but there was such 
strong opposition to him among the "Softs" that John C. 
Edwards, who was thought to be more acceptable to the 
"Softs," was nominated in place of Marmaduke. The 
"Softs" did not agree to accept Edwards and later put 
Judge Charles H. Allen^ in the field as a Soft-Democratic 
candidate for governor. The Whigs did not nominate a 
candidate and most of them voted for Allen. The real 
fight in the campaign was on the election of members of the 
legislature. The "Softs" and the Whigs made a great effort 
to elect a legislature that would not re-elect Senator Benton. 
After the August election they claimed they had succeeded, 
but the "Hards" controlled the party machinery and suc- 
ceeded in organizing the legislature. Benton was re-elected 
by a majority of eight votes. Edwards^ was elected gover- 

^ M. M. Marmaduke was born in Virginia in 1791. He died near 
Arrow Rock, Saline County, Missouri in 1864. He was a colonel in the 
War of i8i2;was considered a member of the "Central Clique"; and was 
elected lieutenant governor in 1840. When Governor Reynolds com- 
mitted suicide Marmaduke became governor. He was a follower of 
Benton, a strong Union man, and did his best to keep his son, John S. 
Marmaduke, from resigning from the United States army and going into 
the service of the Confederate States in 1861 

^ Judge Allen was usually called "Hoss" Allen, a name he got while 
holding court. Two lawyers got into an argument and one of them was so 
noisy that Judge Allen shouted from the bench: "Sit down. Sir, and keep 
your mouth shut." The lawyer sat down saying: "W'ell, as you are 
judge of this court, I guess I will obey you this time." The Judge roared 
back with an oath, "Sir, I'll let you know that I am not only judge of this 
court, but I'm a "hoss" besides, and if you don't obey mc I'll make you." 
After this Allen was always referred to by his political opponents as the 
"Hoss" or as "Hoss" Allen. 

* John C. Edwards was born in Kentucky in 1806 and died in Califor- 
nia in 1888. He received a good education, was admitted to the bar and 
moved to Jefferson City, Missouri in 1828. In 1830 he was appointed 
secretary of state by Governor Miller. He held the office for seven years. 



86 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

nor. The National Democratic campaign slogan of'Texas 
and Oregon"^ appealed to Missourians, and Polk carried the 
State over Henry Clay by a majority of more than 10,000. 

The Election of 1848. After the re-election of Senator 
Benton in 1844, the money question ceased to be an issue 
in Missouri. Even in the latter part of the campaign of 1 844 
the issue was Benton and anti-Benton rather than "Hards" 
and "Softs." The Democratic party seemed completely 
reunited in the elections of 1846 and 1848. Both Oregon 
and Texas were now a part of the United States. Thus the 
issues of the campaign of 1844 were no longer issues. The 
Wilmot Proviso had raised the issue of slavery in the nation. 
The extreme North had taken the position of the Wilmot 
Proviso against the extension of slavery in any territory. 
The extreme South, led by Calhoun, had taken the position 
that slavery could not be excluded by Congress from any 
territory. But neither of these views had many supporters 
in Missouri as early as 1848. In 1847 Missouri legislature 
endorsed the principle of the Missouri Compromise. This 

He was elected to Congress in 1840 and served one term. In 1842 he was 
left off the slate by the "Central Clique." He soon after developed "Soft" 
tendencies, but remained loyal to Colonel Benton. This made him an 
available man as a candidate for governor in 1844. He served his term as 
governor and left soon after for California. In his farewell message to the 
legislature Edwards said that the governorship was a despicable office 
for any man to hold, that two of his predecessors had resigned, a third 
had committed suicide, and that he had been compelled to go armed to 
thecapitol to protect himself against assassins. 

^Austin, a Missourian, had led the first colony to Texas and many 
other Missourians had later gone there. Just two or three years before 
the election, David Barnett, a Missourian, had led a colony of between 
three and four hundred Missourians to Oregon. Thus a great many 
Missourians had a personal interest in seeing Texas and Oregon become 
a part of the United States. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1836-1860 87 

was a "middle of the road" position and certainly represented 
the opinion of the people of the State at that time. In 1848 
the reunited Democrats nominated Judge A. A. King^° 
for governor. He was elected by a majority of nearly 15,000 
over the Whig candidate, James S. Rollins, the Father of 
the University, and one of the most cultured and popular 
men of the State. 

A New Issue in Missouri Politics. Slavery had shaken 
the very foundation of the Union in 1820 when the admission 
of Missouri had first made the question a national issue. 
It had been the cause of many stormy debates in Congress. 
There had been an abolition party in the North and a 
slavery expansion group in the South. But the people of 
Missouri had never been seriously divided on the question. 
In 1 820 practically every one was against slavery restriction. 
Later every one approved of the principle of the Missouri 
Compromise. But slavery had never been an issue between 
parties or within a party in the State. Slavery now became 
the question upon which the victorious Democratic Party 
split into two factions. 

The Jackson Resolutions. When the Missouri legisla- 
ture met in November, 1848, the slavery question was dis- 
cussed extensively in Governor King's message. Soon some 
resolutions on the subject were introduced in the Senate and 
referred to a committee of which C. F. Jackson was chair- 

^"^ Austin A. King was born in Tennessee in 1801 and died in Rich- 
mond, Missouri in 1870. He came to Missouri and settled in Columbia; 
he was elected to the State legislature from Boone County as a Whig. 
Later, he moved to Ray County and became a Democrat. King was 
appointed circuit judge and served eight years. He was governor from 
1848 to 1852. He was a strong Union man during the Civil War and was 
elected to Congress by the Union Party in 1862. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



man. These were later reported out and passed by the 
Senate, and finally on March 6, 1849 they were passed by 
the House. These resolutions were very similar to some 
resolutions which Calhoun had previously introduced in the 
United States Senate. Both sets of resolutions declared that 
Congress had no right to prohibit slavery in any territory. 
Senator Benton had vigorously opposed the Calhoun Reso- 
lution in the Senate. The Missouri legislature now in- 
structed him to work for resolutions of a similar nature. 




Thomas H. Benton 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, 
by permission of the Missouri Histor- 
ical Society 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 836-1860 89 

Benton's Appeal to the People. Senator Benton declared 
he would not support the Jackson Resolutions and appealed 
to the people of Missouri to support his position^^ on the 
slavery question. He claimed the Jackson Resolutions 
were mere copies of the Calhoun Resolutions, and that the 
spirit of nullification, disunion, and treason lurked in them. 
Benton made an extensive speaking tour during the spring 
and summer of, 1849 ^'^ which he carried his appeal to every 
part of the State. The Democratic Party was split into two 
factions. This time as in 1844, the factions were Benton and 
anti-Benton.^^ This factional fight within the Democratic 
Party had its beginning in 1840 on the money question, was 
renewed on the Jackson Resolutions in 1849 and lasted until 
the Civil War. The contest attracted the attention of the 
entire nation. Benton had already served longer in the 
United States Senate than any other man. He had ranked 
with Clay, Calhoun, and Webster in prominence and influ- 
ence in that body. And the question at issue in the campaign 
was one in which the whole nation was vitally concerned. 
This accounts for the nation-wide interest in the contest in 
Missouri. Benton's speeches read after the Civil W^ar show a 
surprising grasp of the situation, and a far-seeing statesman- 
ship which many people could not, at that time, understand. 
They were full of patriotic appeals for the Union. But they 
were also full of ridicule, sarcasm and personal abuse 

u Benton advocated the application of the principles of the Missouri 
Compromise to the new territory. His position was a compromise posi- 
tion. He opposed agitation of the question. 

^2 Many of the leaders of the anti-Ben ton men in 1849 were the men 
who were leaders of the "Softs" in 1844. David R. Atchison, C. F. Jack- 
son, and Carty Wells were notable leaders in both movements. 



90 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

directed at his opponents. ^^ Benton attempted to place 
the issue above party politics. But the Whigs had fought 
him too long to support him now, although they had voted 
against the Jackson Resolutions. Besides they thought they 
saw in the division of the Democratic Party an opportunity 
to elect a Whig to the United States Senate. 

The Election of 1850. The appeal of Benton was made 
in the summer of 1849. During the following winter various 
phases of the slavery question occupied the time of Congress. 
Benton consistently supported the Missouri Compromise 
line and the Union. In the spring and summer of 1850 a 

^^ Benton treated his opponents as personal enemies. His attitude 
toward the group of former friends and supporters at Fayette, known as 
the "Fayette CHque," is typical of his methods throughout the contest. 
The Fayette politicians were unanimous in supporting C. F. Jackson and 
his resolutioBS. Benton made an appointment to speak at Fayette at 
two o'clock one Saturday. At the same time he swore he would not eat, 
drink, or sleep in Fayette. The appointed time cajne, a great crowd had 
gathered to hear the speech, but no one had seen or heard of Benton. 
Some were beginning to say that the Old Roman's courage had failed 
him. At ten minutes past two a dust was seen down the road toward 
Boonville. Soon a carriage driven furiously, the horses flecked with foam, 
emerged from the cloud of dust and drew up at the court house square. 
Senator Benton got out of the carriage, walked straight through the crowd 
to the court house door without looking to the right or the left or speaking 
to an individual. He walked into the crowded assembly room, up to the 
speaker's stand, which was surrounded by old acquaintances and life-time 
friends, and never spoke to a man. He immediately began his speech 
without an introduction. For two hours he drove home his arguments, 
but the speech was filled with sarcasm, ridicule, and personal abuse 
directed at his old friends who were sitting around him on the platform. 
That speech can hardly be equaled for personal denunciation. As soon 
as he had finished speaking, Benton, without greeting a single person, 
went straight to his carriage and was driven back to Boonville. Such 
treatment of one's political opponents is not likely to convert them or 
secure votes. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 836-1860 91 

three sided canvass was carried on in Missouri. The Benton- 
Democrats usually controlled the party machinery and the 
regular ticket contained only Benton men. The anti-Benton 
men bolted and nominated an anti-Benton ticket. When 
the anti-Benton men were in a majority in a county and 
made the regular ticket, the Benton men bolted and nomi- 
nated a Benton ticket. The Whigs nominated legislative 
candidates in all counties and made a strong effort to get 
control of the General Assembly. The division of the 
Democratic vote enabled the Whigs to elect legislators in 
many Democratic counties. The General Assembly elected 
in August, 1850 had 160 members. Of these, sixty-four 
were Whigs, fifty-five were Benton Democrats, and thirty- 
eight were anti-Benton Democrats. -^"^ 

The Defeat of Senator Benton. The contest between the 
Benton and anti-Benton factions had been so bitter that 
there was no hope of Benton's receiving any votes from the 
anti-Benton members of the legislature. To be elected he 
must have eighty votes. He had only fifty-five loyal sup- 
porters in the General Assembly. Benton's only hope lay 
in obtaining support from the Whigs. The Whigs agreed 
with Benton on the issues in the contest, but they had been 
in opposition to Benton on all other issues since the organ- 
ization of their party twenty years before, and during all this 
time had been a minority party in Missouri. They now had 
a plurality and they were not ready to give up that advan- 
tage by helping re-elect Benton. The legislature met in joint 
session on January 10, 1851 to elect a United States senator. 
Henry S. Geyer was the Whig, and B. F. Stringfellow the 
anti-Benton candidate. The first ballot stood: Geyer, sixty- 

i*One member had died and two were absent on the first ballot. 



92 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

four; Benton, fifty-five; and Stringfellow, thirty-eight. 
After ten days' caucusing and balloting, enough anti-Benton- 
Democrats, led by R. M. Stewart, voted with the Whigs to 
elect Geyer. On the fortieth ballot the final vote stood: 
Geyer, eighty; Benton, fifty-five; Stringfellow, eighteen; 
and five scattering. Benton's career as United States 
senator ended March 4, 1851. 

The Election of 1852. The contest between the Benton 
and the anti-Benton Democrats did not end with the defeat 
of Benton in 1851. In the election of 1852 the Jackson 
Resolutions were made the issue of the campaign. Sterling 
Price,^^ a Mexican War hero, had managed to remain so 
nearly neutral in the Benton and anti-Benton contest that 

1^ Sterling Price was born in Virgina in 1809 and died in St. Louis in 
1867. He came to Missouri in 183 1. He lived two years at Fayette, 
Howard County, then for two more years he was a merchant at Keytes- 
ville, Chariton County. In 1835 ^^ moved to a farm in Chariton County 
where he lived, except when serving the public in some official capacity, 
until the beginning of the War in 1861. He was a member of the State 
legislature from 1840 to 1844, during which time he was speaker of the 
House. In 1844 he was elected to Congress, but resigned to raise a regi- 
ment for service in the Mexican War. He was the one man in the State 
who could obtain the support of both the Benton and anti-Benton factions 
in the Democratic Party. After his term as governor he lived on his farm 
until 1 861, when he was appointed by Governor Jackson to the command 
of the State troops. Price was elected as a Union man to the constituent 
convention in 1861, but when compelled to make a final choice between 
the Union and the Confederacy he entered the services of the Confederacy. 
He proved himself to be a very capable military man during the Civil 
War. Sterling Price was one of the best liked public men Missouri had. 
His political opponents were his personal friends. Bitter opposing political 
factions could agree upon him because they liked him personally. During 
the war he was affectionately known by his men as "Pap" Price, and he 
was respected and even liked personally by many of the men in the 
Union Army. After the war he engaged in the mercantile business in 
St. Louis. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 836-1860 93 

both factions were willing to accept him as a candidate for 
governor. Price was elected by a majority of 14,000 over 
James Winston, the Whig candidate. Benton ran for Con- 
gress in the St. Louis District and was elected. In the elec- 
tion of 1852 the real contest between the Benton and anti- 
Ben ton factions was fought out in the election of members of 
the legislature. The Benton Democrats secured forty- four 
members, the Whigs thirty-nine, the anti-Benton Democrats 
thirty-seven and six were uncertain. Governor King called 
an extra session of the legislature for August 30 to take up 
the matter of railroads. But the struggle among the three 
factions began immediately over the election of a speaker.^^ 
Finally Shelby, a Benton man, was elected speaker for the 
extra session only. 

Election of 1854. In the State election of 1854 the third 
state-wide campaign was fought on the Jackson Resolutions. 
The legislature was almost equally divided among the Whigs, 
the Benton Democrats, and the anti-Benton Democrats. 
The legislature elected in August, 1854 was to choose a 
successor to Senator Atchison. The candidates were David 
R. Atchison, anti-Benton-Democrat, Benton, and Colonel 
Doniphan, Whig. The balloting usually gave Atchison 
fifty-six, Benton forty, and Doniphan sixty. The anti- 
Benton-Democrats withdrew Atchison and substituted 
Governor Price, but the balloting showed the same result. 
Finally the legislature gave up trying to elect a United States 
senator, and Missouri had only one senator from 1 855-1 857. 

^^ During the contest one of the members introduced the following 
resolution which the Speaker declared out of order: "Resolved, that a 
veil be hung over the portrait of Colonel Benton, now hanging in the 
Representative Hall; that Claib Jackson be requested to absent himself 
from the House, and that the members drink no more grog till a speaker 
is elected." 



94 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Benton was defeated for re-election to Congress in the 
St. Louis district in the November election i8';4. 

The Election of 1856. The issues in Missouri in the cam- 
paign of 1856 were practically the same as they had been in 
the three preceding elections. Benton ran for governor and 
the Jackson Resolutions were for the fourth time made the 
chief issue before the people. ^^ Benton canvassed the State 
again, assailing the Jackson Resolutions and declaring they 
meant disunion. At the same time he vigorously opposed 
the new Republican Party, although his own son-in-law, 
John C. Fremont, was its candidate for President. For the 
first time the anti-Benton-Democrats polled more votes 
than the Benton-Democrats and Benton finished third in the 
race. This was his last campaign. He died in Washington 
in 1858.18 

^"^ The Kansas-Nebraska Bill had been passed in 1854. It contained a 
clause definitely repealing the Missouri Compromise. Benton had 
violently opposed the bill in the House of Representatives. The opposi- 
tion to the bill had organized the Republican Party. But Benton would 
have nothing to do with the new party. He objected to it on the same 
grounds that he urged against the Jackson Resolutions; that it was dan- 
gerous to the Union. His policy was to keep slavery agitation out of the 
State. After the election of 1856 Blair and B. Gratz Brown, Benton- 
Democrats, joined the Republican party. Benton wrote to a friend in 
St. Louis as follows: "My friends told me that these persons would turn 
out for abolition in the state as soon as the election was over, but I would 
not believe them. For persons calling themselves my friends to attack 
the whole policy of my life, which was to keep slavery agitation out of the 
state, and get my support in the canvass by keeping me ignorant of what 
they intended to do, is the greatest outrage I have ever experienced." 

^^ Three days before Benton's death he sent for President Buchanan 
to exhort him to preserve the Union. Taking the hand of Buchanan he 
said,"Buchanan, we are friends, we have differed on many points, as you 
well know, but I have always trusted your integrity of purpose. I sup- 
ported you in preference to Fremont, because he headed a sectional party. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 836-1860 95 

The anti-Benton-Democratic candidate for governor, 
Trusten Polk/^ was elected. Ten days after his inauguration 
as governor, Polk was elected to the United States Senate 
and resigned the office of governor. Hancock Jackson, the 
Lieutenant-Governor, served as governor until a special 
election in August, 1857 when Robert M. Stewart^° was 

whose success would have been the signal for disunion. I have faith in 
you now, but you must look to a Higher Power to support and guide 
you." After Benton grew so weak he could scarcely make himself under- 
stood, his life-long friend, Frank P. Blair, Sr. arrived from Tennessee. 
After the greetings were over Benton uttered Clay's name and by signs 
made Blair understand that he wanted the last of his, Benton's, manu- 
script of "The Debates in Congress" which he had finished a few days 
before. Having obtained the manuscript he pointed to Henry Clay's 
last appeal for the Union made in the debate on the Omnibus Bill a short 
time before his death. Thus Benton on his death bed adopted his life- 
long rival's last appeal as his own and made it speak when he could no 
longer utter a word. 

^^ Trusten Polk was born in Maryland in 181 1. He was a direct 
descendant of Robert and Magdelene Polk from whom President James 
K. Polk was also descended. He came to St. Louis in 1843; was elected 
governor in 1856, but resigned to accept the office of United States sena- 
tor. He was expelled from the Senate in 1861 on the charge of disloyalty. 
He served as a colonel in the Confederate army. After the war, he 
practiced law in St. Louis until his death in 1876. 

"° Robert M. Stewart was born in New York in 1815. He moved to 
Kentucky when twenty-two years of age, and two years later went from 
Louisville to St. Joseph, Missouri. He was elected to the Constitutional 
Convention of i84<; served in the State legislature and was elected gover- 
nor in 1857. He always acted with the pro-slavery wing of the party, but 
took a strong position for the Union in his farewell message to the legisla- 
ture. He was a member of the convention of 1861. Many stories are 
told of Governor Stewart. One is as follows: When he was a young man 
coming to Missouri on a steamboat the mate kicked him down the gang- 
plank into the Mississippi River. The boat went on, the mate supposing 
Stewart had been drowned. Later when Stewart was governor he found 
in the penitentiary the man who had kicked him into the river. He 
wrote out a pardon, took it to the prison and had the mate sent to him at a 



96 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

elected to fill the unexpired term. The slavery issue, which 
had been the center about which the State campaigns in 
Missouri had been fought since 1849, in 1856 became the 
central issue of the nation wide presidential campaign for the 
first time. In 1858 the center of interest moved from the 
Benton campaigns in Missouri to the Lincoln-Douglas 
campaign in Illinois. 

The Election of 1860. The campaign of i860 was one of 
the longest and most exciting in the history of the State. 
On Jackson Day, January 8, i860, C. F. Jackson announced 
his candidacy for governor. On April 9 a state convention 
was held to nominate a state ticket and select delegates to 
the national convention at Charleston, Jackson was nomi- 
nated for governor, and soon after started for the Ozark 
Hills where he spent most of his time in the campaign. A 

place near the prison wall where there was an incline much like the 
gangplank of a steamboat. When the prisoner approached, the governor 
introduced himself handed the prisoner the pardon and proceeded to kick 
him down the incline. 

According to another story Governor Stewart visited the prison one 
day and inquired of every prisoner he met for what offense he was in 
prison. He always asked the prisoner whether he was guilty or innocent. 
The reply was the same in every case — "innocent." As the governor was 
leaving the grounds, he saw some prisoners digging a cistern. He asked 
the usual questions and all were innocent. Seeing a man in the cistern 
filling a tub he called out: "You fellow down there! What are you doing 
with stripes on your clothes? Are you guilty or innocent?" The prisoner 
replied, "Well Governor, to tell the truth, I am guilty; I did break into a 
store in St. Louis and steal two suits of clothes and they proved it on me." 
Whereupon the governor said: "Get into that tub, you rascal; pull him 
up. Now come with me to the Mansion, for I will pardon you and send 
you home, for no such rascal as you shall stay here and corrupt the morals 
of the innocent convicts in this penitentiary." Governor Stewart never 
married. He died in 1871. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 836-1860 97 

man named Sample Orr-^ was his chief opponent. The 
Democratic party spHt into Douglas and Breckenridge 
Democrats. Jackson avoided taking sides as long as he 
could, but when compelled to do so, he said that he was 
running on the Douglas ticket. The Breckenridge men 
promptly put up Hancock Jackson for governor. The 
Republicans nominated Gardenshire. C. F. Jackson-- was 
elected. 

The Presidential Election in 1860 in Missouri. Slavery 
had first become a national question at the time of Missouri's 
application for statehood in 1820. In 1849 the southern 

21 William Hyde, editor of "The Republican," writes of Orr as follows: 
"Clalb Jackson finally emerged from the hickory-nut country, but was 
loath to come out of his own shell. A man named Sample Orr, of whom 
nobody ever heard before, had, immediately after the Baltimore Split, 
saddled a horse somewhere down in the Southwest, put some light clothes 
into a pair of saddle-bags, announced himself as a Constitutional-Union 
candidate for governor, and started out on the flank of the Democratic 
candidate. Of course every body laughed at his temerity and when they 
saw him they laughed all the more. Nobody knew of any backers he 
had, of any antecedents, any records. He was nobody's nominee; just 
plain Sample Orr, farmer. Very plain hewas. He was a freckled, straw- 
berry blond, and there never was any thing redder than his hair. A man 
of medium height, slight build, weight about 145; keen blue eyes, white 
eye-lashes, nervous, short step, stooping shoulders, long neck — another 
Ichabod Crane. Where he concealed his voice was a wonder, for he could 
be heard a good distance and his speech was charming." 

2- Claiborne F. Jackson was born in Kentucky in 1807. He moved 
to Howard County, Missouri when he was eighteen years of age. He 
became a merchant, was successful in business and retired to give his 
time to politics before he was thirty-five. He was several times represen- 
tative from Howard County, speaker of the House and state senator. He 
was a member of the noted "Fayette Clique" and became its leader when 
it turned against Benton. He was elected governor on the Douglas 
ticket in i860, but attempted to take the State out of the Union. He 
failed in this. He died at Little Rock, Arkansas in 1862. 



98 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

view of the question was injected into State politics by the 
Jackson Resolution. In 1856 the northern position was 
urged in the State by the Republicans. Benton had opposed 
both these positions as dangerous to the Union. In i860 
there were four candidates for the presidency: Brecken- 
ridge, representing the southern position, Lincoln, represent- 
ing the northern position, Douglas and Bell representing the 
moderate position on the slavery question. The election 
of i860 showed that when the issue became strong enough 
to overshadow personal likes and dislikes, as it did in that 
year, the people of Missouri were strongly against slavery 
agitation. Douglas received 58,801 votes and Bell 58,372 
making a total of 117,173 men who voted for a "middle-of- 
the-road" position. Only 31,317 voted for Breckenridge, 
and 17,028 for Lincoln. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER H 

1. What change in politics is noticeable about the beginning of the period? 

2. What was the leading issue between 1836 and 1844? What was Ben- 
ton's position? 

3. Who was elected governor in 1840? 

4. What was the "Central Clique?" "The Fayette Clique?" 

5. What caused the first split in the Democratic party in Missouri? 

6. Who were the candidates for governor in 1844? What was the main 
issue in the campaign? 

7. What was Benton's majority in 1844? 

8. What was the position of the Missouri legislature on slavery extension 
in 1847? 

9. Who were the candidates for governor in 1848? What was the Demo- 
cratic majority? 

10. What new issue was raised in 1849? How was it brought before the 
people? 

11. What did Benton say about the Jackson Resolutions? 

12. Name three men who were "Softs" in 1844 and against Benton on the 
Jackson Resolutions in 1849. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 18^6-1860 



99 



13. What caused the nation-wide interest in the campaign in Missouri 
in 1849? 

14. What was the attitude of the Whigs on the Jackson Resolutions? 

15. What was the relative strength of the three parties in the legislature 
of 1850? 

16. Who was elected to succeed Benton in the United States senate? 

17. What was the relative strength of the three parties in the legislature 
of 1852? Who was elected governor? 

18. What was the issue in the election of 1854? 

19. Why did Missouri have only one United States senator from 1855 to 
1857? 

20. What was the campaign issue in Missouri in 1856? What were the 
results? 

21. Who was elected governor in 1856? How long did he serve? 

22. Who was elected governor at the special election in 1857? 

23. Who were the candidates for governor in 1860? 

24. What does the election of 1860 show as to the position of the people of 
Missouri on the slavery question? 



CHAPTER III 
ECONOMIC PROGRESS 1836-1870 

Steamboats and River Trade. By 1836 the steamboat 
had come to be recognized as the chief means of transporta- 
tion. There were still many keel-boats, flat-boats and rafts 
used, but the steamboat was rapidly taking the place of the 
other types of boats. 

St. Louis^ was just entering upon a period of rapid growth 
which was related very closely to the development of the 
steamboat traffic on the western rivers. The panic of 1837 
caused a general prostration of business and commerce in 
St. Louis. It was attended with the ruin of thousands of 
people. By 1839 business had revived, and the steamboat 
arrivals at St. Louis during the year numbered ^,095. In 
1848 the steamboat arrivals numbered 3,468. This was a 
great increase. Since 1839, St. Louis had become a boat 

^ "The Republican" of June 4, 1836 describes the commercial condi- 
tion of St. Louis at that time as follows: "At no prior time has this city 
exhibited so many signs of improvement as are now daily seen. Capital 
is finding its way to us and large investments are made in real estate, not 
with a view to speculation, but with the design of improving it. We have 
made some inquiry and have found that upwards of two hundred houses 
are building in the city, and it is probable that another hundred will be put 
up during the season. Our country friends who are engaged in the mer- 
cantile business have in many instances determined to make their pur- 
chases hereafter in St. Louis, as the competition and increase in business 
has satisfied them that they can do so to better advantage than in the 
Atlantic cities. Useful and extensive manufactories are starting up, and 
in a short time we shall be independent of other places for our steam 
engines and other materials of daily use." 

100 



ECONOMIC PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 loi 

building center. In 1846, ten steamboats having a combined 
tonnage of 2,912 tons were built in the city. St. Louis grew 
rapidly as a port. In 1854 she stood third in the whole 
United States in steamboat tonnage. New York stood first 
and New Orleans, second. 

Steamship transportation steadily increased until It was 
interrupted by the Civil War in 1861 to 1865. Steamboat 
arrivals in i860 numbered'5,178. When the South withdrew 
from the Union, the lower Mississippi River was closed to 
steamboats from the North. Trade through New Orleans 
was stopped, and commerce began to find its way east by 
railroads and lakes to New York. The increased traffic 
made necessary by the war was carried more and more by 
railroads. Low water in the upper rivers frequently caused 
much loss from steamboat accidents.^ Sand bars, snags 
and floods caused many disasters.^ The removal of snags, 
sunken boats and other obstructions to river traffic was 
often discussed, but no action was taken. Public opinion 
seemed to have concluded that snags and river obstructions 

- In i860, 299 steamboats were destroyed with the loss of 254 lives. 
May 17, 1849 twenty-three vessels were burned at the wharf at St. Louis. 
Steamboat disasters were frequently caused by the explosion of the 
boiler. The following quotation is typical of what frequently appeared 
in the papers: "When the 'George Collier,' while on her way, May 6, 
1839, from New Orleans to St. Louis, was about eighty miles below 
Natches, her piston rod gave way. The cylinder head was broken, and the 
boiler stand carried away. The steam escaping scalded forty-five persons, 
of whom twenty-six died that day." 

3 On Friday, April 9, 1852 an appalling disaster occurred at Lexington 
Landing, to the steamer "Slauda," laden with Mormon immigrants 
destined for Utah. The river was swollen from spring rains, and the 
current thickly studded with floating ice. For two or three days the 
steamer had fruitlessly attempted to stem the flood and round the point 
at Lexington. About nine o'clock in the morning, the captain of the 
"Slauda," Francis T. Bell, impatient of delay, ordered an extra pressure of 



I02 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

would have to be removed, but after the Civil War the rail- 
roads had become well developed. Trade was diverted 
from the rivers to the railroads. This threatened Injury 
and loss to a large amount of capital already invested In 
steamboats and barges. It also threatened to deprive of 
employment a large number of laborers engaged in river 
transportation. A convention was held in St. Louis in 
February, 1867 to find a way to save the river traffic. Con- 
gress was appealed to and responded with an appropriation 
for the removal of snags and sand bars. While Congress has 
made small appropriations for Improvements of rivers and 
harbors since 1867, the steamboat has not been able to 
compete with the railroad. By 1 870 the railroad had become 
the chief means of transportation. The river traffic for a 
long time supplemented the railroads. But the end of our 
period marks the triumph of the railroad over the steam- 
boat.^ 

steam lor a final effort. The furnaces were filled with glowing inflamma- 
bles. The guards crowded with passengers eagerly watched the result. 
The signal was given for starting the engine; when at the second revolution 
of the wheels, both boilers exploded at the same time, with fearful effect, 
tearing away all the boards forward of the wheels, causing her to sink 
immediately. Captain Belt and Jonathan F. Blackburn, the second 
clerk, were standing between the chimneys on the hurricane roof, and 
were blown over the warehouses on the shore and half way up the bluff. 
Both men were killed outright. The iron safe weighing 500 or 600 pounds 
and with a dog chained to It, was blown from the office over the warehouse 
and fell near the body of Captain Belt. It was never known how many 
lives were lost by the explosion but eighty-three persons were buried from 
the wreck at Lexington." — "Switzler's History." 

^ Scharf in his history of St. Louis says: "The system of railroads which 
m 1870 had spread out from St, Louis in every direction had the effect 
of contracting the limits of freightage by water. When not only freight 
but passengers were carried by water, the steamboats of the Mississippi 
found a remunerative trade. But the time had arrived when the steam- 



ECONOMIC PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 103 

Railroads. The year 1836 marks the first effort to secure 
the building of railroads in the State. The first railroad con- 
vention held in Missouri met In St. Louis, April 30, 1836. 
Two railroads were recommended. One from St. Louis to 
Fayette, in Howard County, and the other from St. Louis to 
the mineral district In Washington County. Congress was 
asked to grant 500^000 acres of land to aid in construction 
of the roads, and It was proposed that the State legislature 
guarantee the bonds of the companies which undertook the 
task of building them. Soon other communities wanted 
railroads built. Governor Boggs In his message to the legis- 
lature advocated a general system of railroad building. 
During January and February, 1837 eighteen railroad com- 
panies were incorporated.^ However, the legislature was 
not willing to place the credit of the State at the disposal of 
these railroad companies^ and It was impossible to secure 

boat had become too slow a means of transportation for an enterprising 
and progressive people. The passenger travel having deserted the 
steamboats, they were compelled to look to their freight list almost 
entirely for their profit." 

^ All of the roads planned by these companies were short roads. The 
longest one was to be 120 miles, but the most of them were from five to 
twenty-five miles in length. They were planned to supplement the river 
transportation and usually connected a county seat town with a river 
landing. None of the proposed roads were ever built by the companies 
organized in 1837. 

*• John F. Darby, who represented St. Louis in the State senate in 
1837, blamed Senator Benton for the refusal of the legislature to grant 
financial aid to these companies. In his "Personal Recollections" he 
says: "Col. Benton, for more than ten years after the first agitation on 
the subject of railroads in Missouri, opposed them. x4.s a member of the 
legislature of Missouri, in 1838-9, 1 introduced bills for the construction of 
railroads. They were voted down by the Democratic party, of which 
Colonel Benton was the acknowledged head." 

If Darby is correct in placing the responsibility for the defeat of 
these plans upon Benton, the State owes Benton a debt of gratitude for 



I04 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

sufficient private capital to build the roads. The panic of 
1837 put an end to the agitation for railroads, and it was 
several years before it was renewed. In the meantime rail- 
roads had proved to be a great success in the country east 
of the Mississippi. After the Mexican War the territory of 
the United States extended to the Pacific Ocean. Eastern 
statesmen began discussing plans for building a railroad to 
the Pacific. Senator Benton and the leading citizens of St. 
Louis saw an opportunity to make St. Louis the eastern 
terminus of such a national railroad. A national railroad 
convention was held in St. Louis in the fall of 1849. Dele- 
gates from twelve states were present. Congress was 
petitioned for aid. A company was organized and incor- 
porated by the State legislature. Governor King proposed 
that the State aid in the construction of the road. A law 
was passed in 1851 granting State aid to the "Pacific" and to 
"the Hannibal" and "St. Joseph Railroad" companies. 
Construction work on "The Pacific" was begun in St. Louis 
in 1 851. This was the first railroad in Missouri and the first 
one west of the Mississippi.^ Once a beginning had been 
made in lending the credit of the State to railroad compa- 

saving it from the humiliating experiences of other western states which 
attempted railroad building in the thirties. 

The Illinois legislature obligated that state for more than ^30,000,000 
to build railroads at this time, and the state tailed to secure a single mile 
of completed railroad. Illinois paid the debt; Louisiana had a similar 
experience and repudiated her debt. 

"^ There were two short lines of so-called railroads earlier than the 
Pacific. One was a road from Independence to the landing on the Mis- 
souri River, a distance of four miles. It is said to have been in operation 
as early as 1848. The other was a road five miles in length from Rich- 
mond to the Missouri River. It was in operation as early as 1849. Both 
of these roads were built entirely of wood. They had wooden rails, and 
used horse power. 



ECONOMIC PROGRESS 1836-1 8-0 105 

nies, there were many calls. During 1 851 and 1852 the grants 
of credit amounted to 18,250,000. From 1850 to i860 the 
State authorized bonds to the amount of $24,950,000 to aid 
in railroad construction, but only ^23,701,000 were issued. 
Notwithstanding the aid granted by the State legislature, 
the actual construction was very slow. By 1855 the Pacific 
had been completed to Jefferson City.^ In i860 there had 
been 715 miles of railroad built in the State. But one 
railroad," the "Hannibal and St. Joseph," had been com- 
pleted. "The St. Louis and Iron Mountain" had been built 
as far as Pilot Knob. "The Pacific," now the "Missouri 
Pacific" was completed as far as Syracuse, 168 miles from 
St. Louis. The "North Missouri,"^ now the "Wabash," was 
running trains as far as Macon. The construction of rail- 
roads was slow and more expensive than had been expected. 
Many people did not believe the railroad would become 

* On November i, 18^5 the road was formally opened. To celebrate 
the event an excursion was run from St. Louis to Jefferson City. The 
train consisted of ten passenger coaches, all crowded with guests ot the 
company who had been invited to make the trip. About twelve o'clock 
the train arrived at the bridge over the Gasconade River. The bridge 
had not been finished, but the contractors had agreed to build the scaffold- 
ing strong enough to permit the train to pass over. When the train had 
got on the bridge one of the spans gave way. The engine and several cars 
fell into the river thirty feet below. A number of the leading citizens of 
St. Louis were killed. 

* The original plan was to build the "North Missouri" through Fulton, 
Columbia, and Fayette. For some reason the plan was changed, and the 
road was built farther to the north. It is said that the citizens of Colum- 
bia protested against the road coming through their city. The opposition 
to the road was carried to the extent of holding public meetings and raising 
a bonus to pay to the company on the condition that the road was not 
to be build through Columbia. The reason given for opposing the road 
was that a railroad through the city would make it easy for slaves to 
escape. 



io6 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

practical for long distance transportation.^" It was not until 
after the Civil War that it was possible to build a rail- 
road to the Pacific. 

^° In 1854 a group of people met at the Farmer's Hotel in Kansas 
City to discuss one of the strangest business propositions of that period. 
Colonel Benton, Fremont and a Dr. Lykins were members of the group. 
Mrs. Lykins, who later became the wife of General George Bingham, the 
Missouri artist, gave the following account of the meeting: "Benton and 
Fremont had arrived in order to complete arrangements for an experiment 
with camels as beasts of bvirden in crossing the plains during the hot 
season. Col. Benton entered heartily into the plan and gave his assistance 
in every way possible. He thought camels would stand the travel over the 
sandy plains better than oxen or horses. Owing to the shortness of the 
season in this northern latitude the project failed, although the camels 
were imported for the purpose. 

"Late in the afternoon Dr. Lykins returned to the house to inform me 
that he had invited the gentlemen to dine with us the following day. Col. 
Benton and Mr. Fremont came, also Lieut. Head, and the day was one 
long to be remembered. The conversation was mainly upon the great 
possibilities of the West. At the conclusion of the dinner we stepped out 
on the porch which commanded a delightful view of the river and the 
surrounding country. Colonel Benton appeared in the height of good 
spirits and turning to me said: 'Mrs. Lykins, you will take a trip to 
California on one of the camels, won't you.''' 'Hardly," I replied laugh- 
ing, "I would prefer a more comfortable mode of travel.' The great 
statesman's face grew solemn and as if in a spirit of prophecy, he said, 
'You are a very young woman, and you will live to see the day when the 
railroad will cross the plains and mountains to the Pacific coast.* 'Col. 
Benton,' I replied, 'With all due deference to you as a prophet, your 
prediction is as visionary as a trip to the moon.' 'I will not live to see 
the prophecy verified, but the next generation will,' he responded firmly. 
That was the last visit of Colonel Benton to Kansas City. The party left 
by steamboat for St. Louis the evening of the same day." 

"The Statesman" of June 21, 1878 contains the following item which 
when considered in connection with the account which Mrs. Lykins gives 
of her conversation with Col. Benton, is very interesting. "The marriage 
of General George C. Bingham and Mrs. Mattie Lykins was solemnized 
on Tuesday morning at eight o'clock. After a sumptuous breakfast 
General Bingham and his wife were driven to the depot, and took the 
cars for Denver, to spend a few weeks among the magnificent scenery of 
Colorado." 



ECONOMIC PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 107 

During" the Civil War all the railroads of the State, ex- 
cept the Hannibal and St. Joseph, failed to pay the interest 
upon the bonds which the State had issued to aid in their 
construction. The State foreclosed its mortgages and took 
possession of the roads. On January i, 1868 the railroads 
owed the State a total of ^3 1,735,840. 

This amount included the interest which had not been 
paid. After operating the roads for a short time the State 
sold them for ^6,131,496. This amount subtracted from the 
total indebtedness leaves ^24,609,344, the amount which the 
State lost by aiding in building railroads. 

After the State took the roads, it ran them without loss. 
But Governor Fletcher recommended the sale of the roads 
to private companies so they might be completed. One of 
the terms of the sale was that the company purchasing a 
road must complete the road within a given time. 

The State was not asked for further aid, but counties, 
townships, and cities were asked to aid with their bonds. 
The desire for railroads was so great that many municipal 
bonds were issued. 

Some of the companies built the proposed roads for which 
aid had been granted, but many of the companies were 
fraudulent, and as soon as they were able to sell the bonds, 
construction was stopped and the railroads were never built. 
Many of the counties refused to pay these bonds obtained 
under false pretense, but the federal courts decided in favor 
of the bond holders. Still some counties refused to pay. But 
after a time all of the counties arranged to pay these bonds." 
By 1870 Missouri had become well supplied with railroads, 

" St. Clair and Dallas counties refused to pay either interest or 
principal for years. But recently the bond holders have offered liberal 
compromises which have been accepted in both counties. 



io8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Kansas City and St. Louis were both becoming noted as 
railway terminals, and Missouri was well connected with 
roads of other states. 

Money and Banking. The first constitution of Missouri 
provided that the General Assembly might incorporate one 
bank and no more, and that this bank might have five 
branches and no more. But the General Assembly had not 
seen fit to exercise the powers granted to it by the constitu- 
tion, and no bank had been incorporated before 1836 the 
beginning of our period. 

A branch of the Bank of the United States had been 
established at St. Louis in 1829, but it was compelled to go 
out of business when President Jackson refused to sign the 
bill renewing the charter of the parent bank which expired 
in 1 836. The city of St. Louis was just beginning a period of 
rapid growth that made it the chief center of trade in the 
Mississippi valley. The general increase in population and 
business throughout the State made evident the need for a 
better currency.^^ 

^ The State at this time was flooded with paper money of various 
kinds, much of it was the notes of banks of other states and territories. 
The notes became worthless if the bank which issued them failed. There 
were many bank failures in those days and people never knew how long 
the money they received would be good. Another kind of money in circu- 
lation was called "Shinplaster." Shinplaster was the notes of a public 
corporation like a city or a county. Many cities and counties of the 
State issued paper money to pay their debts. The notes were usually 
issued in denominations of one, two and three dollars. They were issued 
In such quantities that there was no hope of their redemption. Therefore, 
they depreciated rapidly. 

There was little coin in circulation, although considerable coin was 
obtained in the Sante Fe trade and the fur trade. Men who had coin did 
not care to exchange it for the cheap "wild cat" money from the banks 
of other states or the "shinplaster" of our own towns and counties. 



ECONOMIC PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 109 

Business men began, in 1836, to demand that the legisla- 
ture charter a bank. The next year the legislature passed an 
act creating a state bank. The charter of this bank provided 
that the bank must not issue paper money of a lower denom- 
ination than ten dollars. It also provided that the bank 
should not suspend specie payment. ^^ If it did, the very 
act of suspending specie payment was to nullify the charter 
and the bank would be compelled to cease doing business. 
The Missouri legislators intended to create a bank that would 
not issue more paper money than it could redeem, thereby 
causing a loss to the people who held its notes. In this 
they were successful. The Bank of Missouri, which was 
created in 1837, was given a charter good for twenty years. 
The Bank was under the control of the State government. 
It had a president and twelve directors, and the president 
and six of the directors were elected every two years by the 
State legislature. The governor was given special power to 
investigate the condition of the Bank, any time he thought 
best to do so. He was required to appoint a committee of 
the legislature every two years to investigate the condition 
of the Bank and report to the legislature. 

^^ To suspend specie payment meant to quit paying out coin (gold and 
silver money) for paper money. Paper money is simply a note of a bank 
or some public corporation promising to pay coin to the holder upon 
demand. The note bears no interest and is usually printed on some special 
colored paper which makes it difficult to counterfeit. If a bank issues 
more of these notes than it can possibly redeem (that is pay coin for when 
it is demanded) it would be compelled to suspend specie payment, if 
people became uneasy and wanted gold or silver for their bank notes. 
In most states banks were allowed to suspend specie payment, and go 
right on doing a banking business. If a bank did that, its notes depre- 
ciated, that is a dollar became worth less than a dollar. The amount of 
this depreciation depended upon the confidence of the people in the ability 
of the bank to resume specie payment. If it became known that the bank 
would never be able to resume specie payment, its notes became worthless. 



I lo HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Some men^^ were very much dissatisfied because of the 
restrictions which the legislature placed upon the Bank. 
However, the wisdom of the legislators who wrote the charter 
was proved by the career of the Bank. The notes of the 
Bank of Missouri were everywhere considered as good as 
gold. The confidence in the soundness of the Bank and the 
excellent currency which it furnished were important factors 
in the wonderful business development of the State and 
especially of St. Louis during the twenty years of its exis- 
tence. 

The business of the State became so great that it was 
impossible for the Bank of Missouri and its branches to fur- 
nish banking facilities for the people. In 1847 Boatman's 
Saving Institution was established in St. Louis. Soon other 
private banks were established in various places in the 
State. While these banks were very useful in receiving 
deposits and making loans, they could not issue paper 
money. 

The great amount of business in the State required more 
money than the Bank of Missouri was allowed to issue. ^"^ 
This condition caused much of the "wildcat" currency from 
other states to circulate in Missouri, causing the people to 
suffer the losses that are always incurred by the use of such 
money. 

The need of the people of the State for more good money 
and the success of the Bank of Missouri caused the people 

" Probably most of these men had hoped to obtain some of the quick 
profits that were frequently made in the banking business in states where 
"wildcat" banking was permitted. 

^^In 1852 the assets of the Bank of Missouri and its branches were 
about 14,000,000 and the outstanding circulation of its bank notes was 
nearly ^1,500,000. 



ECONOMIC PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 1 1 1 

to amend the constitution in 1857. By an amendment, the 
legislature was permitted to charter ten parent banks, but 
it was provided that their capital should not exceed |2o,ooo,- 
000, and the total amount of money issued could not be 
more than double the capital stock. 

In 1875 ^^^ Bank of Missouri received a new charter. 
The legislature acting under authority of the new constitu- 
tional amendment chartered seven more State banks in 
place of the Bank of Missouri, The notes of these banks 
furnished the people with money until the National Bank 
Law of 1864 drove the notes of all state banks out of circu- 
lation and provided for national banks whose notes took the 
place of the notes of state banks. These state banks then 
became national banks. 

Missouri was the only state in the Union which held to 
the principles of a sound currency in chartering state bank- 
ing institutions. The people of the State were spared the 
loss of the "wildcat" banking period, except such loss as 
came from the use of the money of the banks of other states. 
Much of the credit for the wise banking laws which gave 
Missouri a sound currency must be given to her great states- 
man, Thomas H. Benton. 



CHAPTER IV 
SOCIAL PROGRESS 1836-1870 

The Platte Purchase. The year 1836 marks the rounding 
out of Missouri by the addition of the territory between the 
meridian passing through the mouth of the Kansas River 
(which had been up to that time the western boundary of 
the State) and the Missouri River. This section of territory, 
known as the Platte Purchase, is one of the richest for its 
size in the world. After the pioneers pushed up the Mis- 
souri River to the western boundary of the State, they 
began to settle back from the river to the north along the 
boundary. Clay County had been organized in 1822 and 
Clinton County in 1833. These land hungry pioneers natur- 
ally coveted the rich lands just across the border. 

General Andrew Hughes speaking to a crowd at Liberty 
on Muster Day proposed the annexation of the Platte 
Country. Committees were appointed to bring the matter 
to the attention of the State legislature and the Missouri 
members of Congress. Two obstacles presented themselves; 
first, the Indian ownership of the Platte Territory had been 
definitely recognized by treaty a few years before. Second, 
the Missouri Compromise forever prohibited slavery in this 
territory. To add it to Missouri would make it slave terri- 
tory. The first difficulty was removed when Captain Wil- 
liam Clark purchased the tract from the Indians, September 
17, 1836. He gave the Indians $7,500 and four hundred 
sections of land in northwestern Kansas. The second 

112 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 8/0 113 

objection never received consideration in Congress. The 
law annexing the Platte Purchase to Missouri passed Con- 
gress in December, 1836. The census of 1840 showed that 
more than 15,000 people lived in the territory and by 1870, 
the end of our period, the population numbered 102,442. 

The Mormons Driven from the State. One of the most 
interesting and exciting contests of our early history occurred 
soon after the opening of our period when a religious sect 
known as Mormons was compelled to leave the State. This 
church was founded in New York by Joseph Smith about 
1830. In 1 83 1 Smith and a number of his followers came 
to Independence, Missouri and on August second and third 
held two ceremonies. In the first the foundation of the city 
of Zion was laid, and in the other the cornerstone of the 
temple was laid. These ceremonies were merely symbolic 
and prophetic of what was to take place in the future. 
Elaborate plans for a city were drawn up. The "Saints" 
soon began to arrive in great numbers. They purchased 
all the land they could in and around the city. Within two 
years they formed a third of the population of Jackson 
County. A peculiar scheme of communism under a plan 
known as the stewardship plan was established. A news- 
paper called "The Evening Star" was started. The rapid 
increase of the Mormon population, together with their 
peculiar religious and social beliefs and practices, soon stirred 
the pioneer inhabitants to active measures of opposition. 
A mob gathered, threw the printing press into the river, 
and gave the Mormons a limited time in which to leave. 
The Mormons moved across the river into Clay County. 
There they were treated kindly by the people.^ For three 

^ The trouble had come to open warfare on the night of October 3, 1 833 
when a mob attacked a Mormon settlement on Big Blue about ten miles 



1 1 4 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

years the Mormons lived in Clay County. Their numbers 
continued to increase rapidly by immigration. The citizens 
of the county began to realize that the Mormons would soon 
be in a majority. Soon bitter feeling began to develop. A 
public meeting was held in June i, 1836 at the court house 
at Liberty. Resolutions demanding the removal of the 
Mormons were adopted.^ The Mormons decided to leave 
Clay County and found a county of their own. They 
petitioned the legislature to cut off the northern part of 
Ray County and organize it into a new county. The legis- 
lature did this in December, 1836. The new county was 
called Caldwell. The Mormons moved in the winter of 
1836 and 1837 to Caldwell County where they founded a 
city which they named Far West. Within two years Far 

west of Independence and destroyed twelve houses, whipped the men and 
drove the women and children into the open country in the middle of the 
night. The next night mobs attacked both private houses and churches 
in Independence. On November 2 another attack was made on the Big 
Blue settlement. On November 4, attacks were made on several Mormon 
settlements in the county. The Mormons realized that they could not 
continue to live in Jackson County and agreed to move across the river 
into Clay County. On November 6 and 7 the ferries were busy all day 
ferrying them across the river. Most of the refugees had been compelled 
to leave their homes so hurriedly that they could take little or nothing 
with them. One writer describes the scene as follows: "Hundreds of 
people were to be seen in every direction; some in the open air, around 
their fires, while the rain descended in torrents. Husbands were inquiring 
for their wives and women for their husbands, parents for children and 
children for parents. Some had the good fortune to escape with their 
family, household goods, and some provisions; while others knew not the 
fate of their friends and had lost all their goods. The scene was indescrib- 
able." By the close of the year not a Mormon was left in Jackson County. 
2 The reasons given for demanding that the Mormons leave were: 
That the Mormons had declared the land belonged to them and the 
Indians. Second, that the Mormons were opposed to slavery; and third, 
their peculiar religious tenets. 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 115 

West had a population of" 3,000. Joseph Smith moved his 
headquarters from Ohio to the new city. He soon ordered 
the estabhshment of "stakes," as the Mormon churches were 
called, in the adjoining counties. Soon the Mormons were in 
conflict with the inhabitants of these counties.^ There were 
now about 15,000 Mormons in the State. Governor Boggs 
ordered General Clark to raise a force for the protection of 
the citizens of Davies County. Soon after, the governor 
issued his exterminating order in which he said,"The Mor- 
mons must be exterminated or driven from the State, if 
necessary for the public peace." The military forces of the 
State moved against the Mormons in such numbers as to 
make resistance impossible. In a conference with the com- 
manders of the militia the Mormons agreed to surrender 
their leaders for trial and leave the State. Under this 
agreement Joseph Smith and about fifty of his followers 
were arrested and taken to Richmond for trial. Some of 
them were acquitted. The remainder took a change of venue 
and were sent to Columbia, Missouri for trial, but on the 
road to -Columbia several of the prisoners, including Joseph 
Smith, managed to escape. The others were acquitted. 
While these trials were going on, the main body of Mormons 
moved from the State to Illinois. 

After the Civil War the Mormons began to return to 
Independence, Missouri. There are now (1920) three 
sects with stakes established there. The Reorganized Church 

' Armed bands of both Mormons and Gentiles rode over the country 
burning houses in both town and country. The Mormons attacked Galla- 
tin one night and burned several houses. Another band of Mormons de- 
feated a company of State militia on Crooked River, October 23, 1838. 
The Missouri ans then took revenge by attacking the Mormons at Hawn's 
Mill, October 30. 



1 16 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of the Latter Day Saints is the most numerous. The Hed- 
rickites,^ who are only slightly , different from the Latter 
Day Saints and the Utah Mormons, also have small congre- 
gations. 

A large part of the population of Independence are 
members of the Reorganized Church, and many congrega- 
tions have been established in surrounding towns and 
counties. 

Increase in Population. Although Missouri began to 
be a colonizing State about the beginning of the period, her 
population continued to increase even more rapidly than 
during the previous period. This increase is most readily 
seen in the figures of the census report. 

The census of 1840 showed a population of 383,702, 
more than double that of 1830. In 1850 the population was 
682,043. This was a total increase of 298,341, which was 
larger than the gain made in any previous ten year period. 
However, the gain was only 77%. Each previous census had 
shown a gain of more than 100%. From 1850 to i860 the 
gain was 73%, butthegain in numberof people was 499,969, 
a much larger increase than that from 1840 to 1850. This 
made the total population in i860 1,182,012. In spite of 
the losses caused by the Civil War, the census of 1870 
showed a little more gain than that of the previous period, 
but an increase of only 45%. When we consider the increase 

^Granville Hedrick came from Illinois to Independence in 1867. He 
and his followers succeeded in getting possession of the Temple Lot 
consecrated by Joseph Smith in 1833. They have held it until the present 
time, although the reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints attempted 
to secure it through the courts. The differences between the Hedrickites 
and Latter Day Saints are so few that the leaders are hopeful that full 
agreement may be reached and the long prophesied Temple be built soon. 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 



for the entire period of thirty years from 1840 to 1870, we 
have an increase from 383,702 to 1,721,295. This is an 
increase of i ,337,593 in actual numbers and a percentage 
increase of 348%. 

New Counties. The increase of population caused the 
organization of new counties so rapidly that ten years after 
the beginning of the period, the county map of Missouri 




Missouri Counties in 1837 

Reproduced by permission of the Political Science Department 

of the University of Missouri 



ii8 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




Missouri Counties in 1845 

Reproduced by permission of the Political Science Department 

of the University of Missouri 

looked very much as it does at present. The organization 
of the counties of the State was completed in 1861, nine years 
before the close of the period, by the organization of Worth 
County. Between 1836 and 1846 forty-two counties were 
organized, and during the next fifteen years eighteen were 
added to the list, making the grand total of one hundred 
fourteen counties which Missouri has today.^ 

^The organization of counties for the period was as follows: 
1837 — Linn, Livingston, Macon, Miller, and Taney. 
1838 — Buchanan, Newton and Platte. 

1 841 — Adair, Andrew, Bates, Camden, Dade, Gentry, Grundy, Holt, 
Jasper, Osage, Ozark, St. Clair, Scotland, Shannon and Wright. 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 1 1 9 

Growth of Cities. Another Indication of the rapid growth 
in population is found in the growth of cities. In 1836 St. 
Louis was the largest city in the State and its population 
was but little more than 8,000. In 1870 it had a population 
of more than 300,000. Kansas City was named in 1838. 
A public sale of lots occurred in 1846. It was incorporated 
in 1853, and in 1870 had a population of 32,260. St. Joseph^ 
had grown from a population of 936 in 1846 to i^,S^S ^^"^ 
1870. Springfield, Hannibal and Sedalia'^ were all flourish- 

1844— Dallas. 

1845 — Atchison, Cedar, De Kalb, Dunklin, Harrison, Hickory, Knox, 
Lawrence, Mercer, Mississippi, Moniteau, Nodaway, Oregon, Putnam, 
Reynolds, Schuyler, Sullivan and Texas. 

1849 — Butler, Laclede, and McDonald. 

1 85 1 — Bollinger, Dent, Pemiscot, Stone and Vernon. 

1855 — Barton, Maries and Webster. 

1857 — Douglas, Howell, Iron and Phelps. 

1859 — Carter. 

1 86o — Christian. 

1 86 1— Worth. 

® "In 1 861, William A. Davis, who had been in the postal service for 
more than thirty years, conceived a scheme to distribute the mail bound 
west of the Missouri River, on the cars between Hannibal and St. Joseph. 
He placed his scheme and drawings for distributing cars in the hands ot 
Major J. L. Bittinger, then postmaster, who, having examined the plans, 
forwarded them with his recommendation, to Postmaster General Blair. 
A special agent was sent to St. Joseph with orders to confer with Mr. 
Davis, and inaugurate the business of distributing the overland mail 
on the cars. It proved to be the greatest improvement ever made in 
postal service. Mail is now distributed in special mail cars all over the 
country, and the railway postal service has been adopted in many foreign 
lands." — "The State of Missouri." By Walter Williams. 

' General George R. Smith, the founder of Sedalia, had a daughter 
named Sarah. Her young friends called her "Sed." General Smith de- 
cided to name the city after his daughter and called it Sedville. Some one 
suggested to the general that Sedalia would sound better than Sedville 
and would honor his daughter just as well. The general agreed and the 
name was changed from Sedville to Sedalia. 



lao HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

ing cities in 1870. A great many county seat towns were 
developing into small cities. 

In 1859 the first street car railway was built in St. Louis. 
The first street car, drawn by horses, ran over this line on 
Olive Street from Fourth to Tenth Street on July 4, 1859.^ 
Before the end of our period no less than eight companies 
were operating horse street car lines in St. Louis. While the 
end of our period found the population of Missouri still 
largely a rural population, commerce, manufacturing, and 
transportation by railroads were causing the rapid develop- 
ment of cities. 

Education. The public school system of Missouri may be 
said to rest upon the act of the legislature passed in 1835.^ 

* The car was built in Philadelphia and cost ^900. A contemporary 
account of the first trip says: "At ten o'clock a few invited guests with 
the directors of the road took their seats within the car. The horses were 
attached to the pole which can be readily shipped to either end of the 
car. Mr. E. Wells, President of the road, then took the reins, and after a 
jerk or two the car moved slowly but steadily up the track, amidst loud 
shouts and cheers from the crowd. The center of the track was not 
sufficiently settled, and small pieces of rock were constantly being de- 
tached by the horses' feet, and falling upon the track, retarded the progress 
of the car, in several cases throwing it from the track. The switches 
required some alteration. Several times the car failed to run on the track 
intended and a general backing up was found necessary before the car 
could proceed. But after various delays the car arrived at Tenth Street. 
The horses were then attached to the other end of the car and the return 
trip was made with few delays. The pioneer car arrived at Fourth Street, 
where it was again greeted by a large crowd of persons, each waiting an 
opportunity for a free ride. " 

^ The act provided for: (a) A State Board of Education consisting of 
the governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and attorney-general, 
(b) Schools to continue at least six months in the year, (c) A county 
school fund, (d) The county as a unit of school taxation, (e) A Board 
of Trustees for each district who should employ a teacher, appoint visitors 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 8-0 121 

Two years later an act was passed which provided for 
establishing a State school fund from the sale of Saline lands, 
and the investment of the fund in Missouri Bank stock. 
In 1842 sixty cents per pupil was appropriated from the pro- 
ceeds of this fund to the schools in the thirteen counties that 
had organized school systems. 

In 1839 ^ ^^^ ^^^ passed which provided for the office of 
state superintendent of schools^" and authorized the estab- 
lishment of the county and township school funds. ^^ How- 
ever, the real work of establishing the schools rested on the 
local communities. The funds were not sufficient to run the 
schools without local taxation, and many communities pre- 
ferred the private subscription school to school taxes. School 
terms were short, and the school houses and equipment 
usually very poor. In 1853 the State legislature revised the 
school laws and, among other changes, provided for a 
county school commissioner in each county. The schools 
showed marked improvement as a result of this act, but 
this progress was checked by the Civil War.^^ 

and make all needful arrangements, (f) The teaching of reading, writing, 
arithmetic, geography, English grammar and such other subjects (theol- 
ogy excepted) as the funds might justify. 

^•^ The office of state superintendent was abolished in 1841 and the 
duties were placed upon the secretary of state. It was re-established in 

1853- 

" These two funds are the important permanent funds of the State. 
The county funds are derived from fines, forfeitures, the sale of estrays 
and the sale of swamp lands. 

The township funds are derived from the sale of the sixteenth section 
of land in each township. This section had been set apart for school 
purposes by the Congress of the United States. 

^^ "The Civil War period was a dark one for the public schools. The 
apportioning of public money was suspended, and nearly all the schools 
were closed in 1861. School money was used for other purposes and 
sometimes lost. Many school buildings were destroyed or seriously 
damaged. The office of state superintendent of schools was suspended 
and the whole system completely disorganized." — Phillips. 



122 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




James S. Rollins 
Father of the University of Missouri 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, by 
permission of the Missouri Historical 
Society 

Under the State Constitution which was adopted in 1865 
some excellent school legislation was enacted but the effort 
to build up a new school system failed largely because of 
the strife resulting from the War 

Education — High Schools. There were no public high 
schools during the period 1836 to 1870. High school educa- 
tion was obtained in private academies. Nine academies had 
been chartered before 1830. In 1850 there were in the State 
104 academies in which there were 8,829 students. ^^ 

^^The State superintendent's report for 1919 shows thirty-two private 
schools of high school rank. The military academies are included in this 
list. 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1870 123 

Education — University and Colleges. The State Univer- 
sity was established at Columbia in accordance with an act 
of the legislature passed in 1839. It was opened for students 
in 184OJ and its first graduating class, consisting of two men, 
received degrees in 1843. '^^^ University did not receive 
direct State aid and remained a small school throughout the 
period. During the first thirty years of its existence Its 
graduates numbered about two hundred. In 1867 the State 
made the first direct appropriation for the support of the 
University. It consisted of |io,ooo and a grant of iyi% of 
the State revenues after one-fourth appropriated to the 
common school fund had been deducted. During the period 
five other colleges, now members of the College Union, were 
established.-^ •* 

Religion. In 1836 the Roman Catholic church and all 
the leading Protestant churches had established state-wide 
organizations In Missouri. During the decade between 1 840 
and 1850 most of the Protestant churches became divided 
over the slavery question. These divisions usually resulted 
in increased membership. 

All of the leading churches grew rapidly and by 1871 
their membership ranged from 20,000 to more than 100,000. 
The religious life of the people was seriously Interrupted by 
the ravages of the Civil War period. Many churches were 
destroyed and others were used for other than religious 
purposes. Even after the fighting was over many difficulties 

"These were (i) St. Louis University, which was chartered in 1832. 
It first offered post graduate courses in Theology in 1834, in medicine in 
1836 and in law in 1843. (2) Willam Jewell College was opened January 
I, 1850. (3) Westminster College at Fulton was granted a charter in 
1853. (4) Washington University at St. Louis was organized in 1854. 
(5) Central College at Fayette was opened in 1857. 



124 * HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

confronted those who attempted to re-establish religious 
worship. One of the most annoying of these was the test 
oath which all ministers were compelled to take. However, 
these difficulties were largely overcome and the close of 
the period found the churches prosperous and ready for a 
forward movement. 

Missouri and the West. Soon after the opening of this 
period Missouri became a colonizing State. Her citizens 
had for years conducted the Sante Fe trade and the fur 
trade of the great West. They had become familiar with the 
trails and passes throughout the great desert and the moun- 
tains beyond. Under the leadership of Stephen Austin they 
had already settled Texas. In the early forties a colony of 
more than three hundred under the leadership of David 
Barnett moved to Oregon. These were followed by other 
colonies to Oregon and California. 

Many Missourians had gone to Texas to aid in the war 
for Texan independence, and Missourians were greatly 
interested in the annexation of Texas to the United States 
after she had won her independence from Mexico. The 
Democratic campaign issue of "Annexation of Texas and 
Occupation of Oregon" was very popular in the State. After 
declaration of war, troops were easily raised in Missouri. 
One regiment went down the Mississippi to New Orleans 
but did not see active service. General Kearney's expedition, 
with the exception of three hundred men, were Missourians. 
General Sterling Price followed General Kearney with about 
twelve hundred Missourians. General Kearney went from 
Sante Fe to southern California with a part of his men and 
left General Price in command at Sante Fe. Colonel Doni- 
phan, in command of the Missourians led to New Mexico 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 125 

by Kearney, was sent southward through the Mexican prov- 
ince of Chihuhua.^^ From the city of Chihauhau, which 
he captured March i, 1847, Doniphan marched to Saltillo 
and then to the coast at Matamoras. From Matamoras 
Doniphan and his men were brought home by way of New 
Orleans and the Mississippi River. 

During the Mexican War the dispute with Great Britain 
over the Oregon boundary was satisfactorily settled. Sena- 
tor Linn of Missouri was called the father of Oregon because 
of his service to the people of the territory and his efforts 
to obtain Congressional action looking to the organization 
and settlement of the country under the laws of the United 
States. In 1846 Senator Benton took the lead in the United 
States Senate in advocating a compromise on the 49 degrees 
north latitude. Thus not only did Missouri settlers move 
to the western states, but Missouri statesmen looked after 
the interests of these western people until they became 
organized and had representatives of their own in Congress. 
Fremont, who is known as "the pathfinder" and who was the 
son-in-law of Senator Benton, employed a great many 
Missourians in his explorations. The most famous of these 
was "Kit" Carson. ^^ 

^^ This expedition of Doniphan's is one of the most famous marches 
on record. From the time the expedition left Missouri until it arrived at 
the Gulf coast the men had marched 3,000 miles. Most of the way was 
through a desert country, inhabited by hostile Indians or Mexicans, if 
inhabited at all. They had often marched for long distances without 
water or food yet they accomplished the march with a loss of less than 
fifty men counting those who had fallen in battle. The returned heroes 
received a great welcome in St. Louis. 

^^ Christopher Carson, usually known as "Kit" Carson, was born in 
Kentucky in 1809 but his parents moved to Howard County, Missouri 
while he was an infant. At seventeen years of age "Kit" left home and 
became a hunter and trapper. He was a trapper and hunter for sixteen 



ia6 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 









?4vl ^^'*« ^.^^'■' . -i 







■"^«i^. /;; 



-'■^^ ^ 

Overland Train Organized to Leave Western Missouri 
FOR California Following the Discovery of Gold 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, by permission of the Missouri 
Historical Society 

The Missouri traders and trappers had for years pene- 
trated the mountain passes and traveled the trails of the 

years. When Fremont was planning his exploring expedition in 1842 he 
employed "Kit" Carson as a guide. Fremont's success as an explorer was 
due very largely to Carson's ability and skill as a mountaineer, Indian 
fighter, and guide. 

In 1853 Carson was given the difficult task of driving 6,500 sheep 
across the plains to California. He accomplished it successfully. He rose 
to the rank of brigadier general during the Civil War. He died in Colorado 
in 1869. 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 127 

great western mountains. Fremont used these men as 
guides and after traveling the routes, many of them well 
known to the trappers, he described them in his official 
reports. The discovery of gold in California caused a great 
rush of people across the plains. A great many Missourians 
went to California, and Missouri became important as the 
last western outpost from which the caravans could be sup- 
plied with provisions. 

Slavery in Missouri. Slavery in Missouri was a very 
different institution from slavery as it existed in the states 
farther south. The number of slaves in Missouri was never 
large in proportion to the white population. From 1830 to 
i860 the percentage of slaves to the entire population con- 
tinually decreased. In i860 there were 114,931 slaves in the 
State. This was less than one-tenth of the entire population. 

There were very few great plantations in Missouri. 
There were no great staple crops like cotton. Slaves were 
not ordinarily worked, in gangs driven by an overseer, but 
were used as general field hands.-^'' 

The people of the State were very much opposed to free 
negroes. In 1835 a free negro code was passed. This code 
required every free negro to have a license. In 1843 ^ 
drastic law was passed for the purpose of restricting the 
immigration of free negroes into Missouri. 

In 1847 a law was passed which provided that '*No per- 
son shall instruct any negroes or mulattoes in reading or 
writing in this state under penalty of I500 fine or not more 
than six months imprisonment or both." The dread of the 

" This meant that the number of slaves held by one man was not 
usually large. "Very few masters had one hundred slaves and not many 
had fifty." Most men who owned slaves had fewer than five. However, 
the number varied from one to four hundred. 



128 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

effect of abolition literature caused the passage of the law 
prohibiting the teaching of reading and writing. 

Kansas Border Trouble. After the Mexican War, the 
South became dominant in the nation and the slavery ques- 
tion entered into and absorbed all other political questions. 

One of the biggest problems was that of new territories. 
The first contest raged in Congress from 1846 when Wilmot 
introduced his proviso until the passage of the various acts 
of the Omnibus Bill.^^ 

Senator Benton and the great majority of Missourians 
had wanted the question settled by extending the Missouri 
Compromise line to the Pacific.^^ After the passage of the 
Omnibus Bill, which the southern element considered a re- 
peal of the Missouri Compromise, there arose, in western 
Missouri, a popular demand for the organization of the 
Kansas-Nebraska territory.-*^ 

^* California was admitted as a free state. The greater part ot the 
state was south of the Missouri Compromise hne if it had been extended 
to the Pacific. While the Compromise did not say that all territory south 
of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes should be slave territory, yet the 
south interpreted that way They considered the demand of the northern 
element that slavery be excluded from all territory a violation of the 
spirit of the Missouri Compromise. And they considered the admission 
of California as a free state a repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Besides 
the admission of California as a free state, the Omnibus bill carried a 
number of distinct acts and was intended to be a settlement of the whole 
slavery question. 

^^The Missouri Legislature passed a resolution to that effect in 1847 
mstructing Missouri's Senators and requesting her representatives to 
work and vote for a measure of that kind. 

^'^ In June, 1852 a public meeting was held in Platte County and reso- 
lutions were adopted asking Congress to immediately organize the 
Nebraska territory and provide for the settlement of the territory as soon 
as the Indian claims could be extinguished. In November, 1853 the citi- 
zens of Andrew County passed similar resolutions. A call was issued for 



SOCIAL PROGRESS 1 836-1 870 129 

Senator David R. Atchison lived at Plattsburg near the 
western border of the State and was, therefore, especially 
interested in having the territory to the west opened to set- 
tlement. However, he made it very plain to Congress that 
Missourians wanted the territory organized under laws that 
would allow them to go to the new country and take their 
slaves with them. Senator Douglas of Illinois, chairman of 
the committee on' territories,-^ introduced and secured the 
passage of the famous Kansas-Nebraska Bill. This bill con- 
tained a clause repealing the Missouri Compromise. It 
provided that the people of the territories should decide 
for themselves whether the State should be slave or free. 

The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill transferred the 
struggle over slavery from the halls of Congress to the 
prairies of eastern Kansas. Anti-slavery immigrants in large 
numbers came to Kansas from all parts of the North. Mis- 
souri furnished the greater part of the proslavery immigrants. 

Soon trouble arose between the two classes of immi- 
grants. Defensive societies of various kinds were organized 
in western Missouri. Their object was to aid the Missour- 

"A general convention of all friends of Nebraska" to meet in St. Joseph 
in January, 1854. This convention passed strong resolutions favoring 
opening Nebraska territory to settlement. A similar convention was 
held in St. Louis about the same time. 

2^ Mr. P. Orman Ray has made an extensive study of the origin and 
passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. He believes Senator Atchison is 
responsible for Douglas pushing the bill. According to Ray, Atchison 
told Douglas the kind of bill he wanted passed and asked Douglas to push 
it through or resign from the chairmanship of the committee on territories 
and allow him (Atchison^ to be given the chairmanship so he could push 
the bill through. Douglas asked Atchison to let him have until the next 
day to think it over and he would either bring in the bill desired by Atchi- 
son or resign his chairmanship. The next day he told Atchison he would 
push the bill. 



I30 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

ians who had settled In Kansas. Armed bands crossed into 
Kansas on election days and voted. Senator Atchison was 
the leader of the Missourians in these border raids. 

Soon armed bands of free state men led by such men as 
John Brown and Jim Lane began making raids against the 
pro-slavery settlements in Kansas. Later they frequently 
crossed into Missouri. Counties along the western boundary 
south of Kansas City were kept in a state of excitement by 
this border warfare from 1 854 until the close of the Civil War. 

The people of the border suffered much throughout the 
entire period. But the greatest suffering and loss of property 
was occasioned by the method finally used to put an end to 
the raids. This was the notorious "order number eleven" 
issued by General Thomas Ewing in the fall of 1863. This 
order required all people living in Jackson, Cass, Bates, and 
a part of Vernon County, except those living within one mile 
of the principal towns, to leave within fifteen days. While 
this policy was successful in stopping border warfare, it 
practically depopulated one of the most prosperous sections 
of the State. Such buildings and improvements as were 
left after the order was executed were destroyed by the 
prairie fires. For three years the district was desolate. 
When the people came back in 1866 they had to build their 
homes all over again. 

After the war, many of the men who had been trained in 
this border warfare became bandits and spent most of their 
lives in robbing banks, holding up trains, and murdering 
innocent people. The most notorious of these were the 
James boys and the Youngers. 



CHAPTER V 

POLITICAL ANNALS 1860-1870 

The Twenty-first General Assembly. The General As- 
sembly elected in August, i860 met December 31.^ South 
Carolina had passed an ordinance of secession ten days 
before. Great excitement prevailed. The one question 
was, "What should Missouri do?" Governor Stewart's fare- 

^ Four political parties were represented in the General Assembly. 
The relative strength of the four parties was very different from the rela- 
tive vote polled in the presidential election. The Breckenridge Democrats 
polled only 31,317 votes yet they had sixty- two members in the General 
Assembly. The Douglas Democrats polled 58,801 votes, but had only 
forty-six members, while the Constitutional Unionists polled 58,372 votes 
and had only forty-four members. The Republicans had polled 17,028 
votes and had thirteen members. 

The large number of Breckenridge Democrats in the General Assem- 
bly in proportion to the vote cast is more easily seen if we divide the vote 
cast by each party by the number of members the party had in the General 
Assembly. The total vote cast was 165,518. There were 165 members 
in the General Assembly, one member for 1,000 voters. The Breckenridge 
Democrats had one member for each 505 votes; the Douglas Democrats, 
one member for each 1,278 votes; the Constitutional Unionist, one member 
for each 1,326 votes; and the Republicans one member for each 1,309 
votes. 

The large proport on of Breckenridge Democrats was probably due to 
the fact that the southern wing of the Democratic Party had secured 
control of the party machinery in the Benton contest. The State election 
was in August and the nominations for State and County offices were made 
before the split in the Democratic Party at the Charleston Convention. 
As the leaders in control of the party were southern Democrats, most of 
the^'nominees for the General Assembly were southern Democrats and 
when the split came naturally became Breckenridge Democrats. 

131 



132 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

well message concluded with an appeal for the maintenance 
of the Union. Governor Jackson in his inaugural address 
insisted that it was the duty of Missouri "to stand by the 
South." He recommended the calling of a state convention 
to consider the relation of Missouri to the Union. A bill 
providing for such a convention was passed January i6, 
1861. It provided for the election of delegates February 18 
and for the meeting of the convention at Jefferson City, 
February 28. After a stormy session in which little of im- 
portance was done, except the passage of the bill providing 
for the convention, the General Assembly adjourned March 
28. It was called In extra session April 22 and passed the 
Militia Bill giving the governor power to raise, organize, 
and train an army of 50,000 men. When Governor Jackson 
fled from the capitol, a part of the members of the General 
Assembly went with him, but the majority went to their 
homes. 

The Convention. There was just one month from the 
passage of the bill providing for a convention until the date 
set for the election of delegates. Frank P. Blair,^ leader of 

2 Frank P. Blair, Jr. is one of the most interesting men connected with 
Missouri history. He was born at Lexington, Kentucky, February 19, 
1821; was graduated from Princeton in 184I; came to Missouri in 1842 
and began the practice of law as a partner of his brother, Montgomery 
Blair. He went to Sante Fe in 1845 for his health, and when General 
Kearney took New Mexico, Blair was made Attorney General for the 
territory. He returned to St. Louis in 1847 and supported Van Buren 
instead of Lewis Cass, the regular Democratic nominee. He supported 
Benton in his appeal to the people of Missouri on the slavery question in 
1849. Blair was the one young political leader whom Benton trusted. 
He purchased an interest in the "St. Louis Democrat" (later the "Globe 
Democrat") the Benton paper, and became one of its leading contribu- 
tors. He was not an abolitidnist, but favored getting rid of negroes in 
Missouri on the ground that negro labor could be used better in other 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 86c^i87o 133 

the unconditional Union men, succeeded in effecting an 
agreement with the conditional LInion men, and only one 
Union ticket was placed in the field. The issue was for and 
against the passage by the convention of an ordinance of 
secession. The campaign was brief, active and exciting. 
The election resulted in the choice of a large majority of 
delegates opposed to secession. The popular majority for 
the Union was about 80,000. 

places and that Missouri would be more prosperous without it. He was 
misrepresented by his opponents, who denounced him as an abolitionist. 
Concerning this charge Mr. Blair said: "Those fellows know very well 
how false the charge is, and therefore there is no good trying to put them 
right. But what they do not see is that by calling me an abolitionist, who 
am not to be scared at such things, they are enuring those who secretly 
sympathize with me, but who are not as thick skinned, to hear themselves 
also called by foul names, without being terrified out of their senses. Let 
them go on — they will make the name abolitionist respectable sooner 
than they dream." Blair became the recognized leader of the Ben ton- 
Democrats after Benton's retirement. His father and brother, Mont- 
gomery Blair, who lived in Maryland had worked and voted for Fremont 
in i8';;6, and he and his cousin, B. Gratz Brown who was editor of the 
"St. Louis Democrat," took an active part in favor of Lincoln and against 
Douglas In the Senatorial campaign in Illinois in 181^8. In i860 he became 
the leader of the Republican Party in Missouri, and was very influential 
in the Chicago Convention ia securing the nomination of Lincoln. Un- 
doubtedly his greatest public service was rendered in saving Missouri for 
the Union in 1861. He rose to the rank of major general during the 
Civil War, and commanded the Seventeenth Corps In Sherman's march 
to the sea. He returned to St. Louis in 1865 and began action in the 
courts against the test oath required of voters by the Drake Constitution. 
He was the first prominent Republican to break with the party on its 
reconstruction policy. Blair was emphatic by nature and instead of 
becoming a Liberal Republican he immediately became a Democrat. He 
was the Democratic candidate for vice-president in 1868, was elected to 
the General Assembly of Missouri In 1870, and in 1871 was chosen United 
States senator to fill the unexpired term of Charles D. Drake, who had 
resigned. He suffered from a stroke of paralysis in 1872 and never fully 
recovered. In 1873 he was defeated for re-election to the United States 
Senate, but was appointed State insurance commissioner which office he 
held until his death in 1875. 



134 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The convention met in Jefferson City, February 28, as 
required by law. It elected Ex-Governor Sterling Price 
president and adjourned to meet in St. Louis. There it 
passed resolutions declaring that at present there was no 
adequate cause to impel Missouri to secede from the Union, 
and that Missouri would support most heartily the attempts 
at compromise. One resolution urged both North and South 
to avoid Civil War. The convention then elected a perma- 
nent committee with power to call the convention, should 
occasion demand action, and adjourned March 22, 1861. 

The Provisional Government. The Civil War was 
opened by the firing upon Fort Sumter, April 13 and men 
in Missouri were soon compelled to choose between the 
Union and secession. Governor Jackson and a number of 
the State officers took sides with the South. The committee 
reconvened the convention July 22. The President, Sterling 
Price, and about twenty of the ninety-nine members had 
enlisted in the cause of the South. The Vice-President, 
Robert Wilson, called the convention to order and was made 
President. The convention declared the offices of governor, 
lieutenant governor, and secretary of state vacant. It then 
elected Hamilton R. Gamble^ governor, Willard P. Hall, 
lieutenant governor, and Mordecai Oliver, secretary of state. 

3 Hamilton R. Gamble was born in Virginia in 1798. He was the 
youngest of seven children. His father had been born in Ireland, and 
was ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. Gamble moved to Howard 
County, Missouri in 171 8. He became prosecuting attorney, and later 
Secretary of State under Governor Bates. He moved to St. Louis and soon 
became one of the leading lawyers of the city. In 1851 he was elected one 
of the judges of the supreme court, but resigned in 1855 on account of ill 
health. He moved to Philadelphia In 1858 to educate his children. When 
the Missouri legislature passed the act calling a convention he returned 
at once and entered the campaign against secession. He was elected to the 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1860-1870 135 

Difficulties of the New Government. The Confederates 
attempted to maintain the Jackson government in the State, 
and it was not until the battle of Pea Ridge, March 6-8, 
1862, that Jackson gave up the plan of re-establishing himself 
as governor of Missouri and making the vState a member of 
the Southern Confederacy. 

The new government was without money and revenue 
was hard to raise by taxation during the confusion of the 
earlier part of the war. 

The support of the civil officers of the State was neces- 
sary if the provisional government was to succeed. The 
convention passed an ordinance which provided that all 
officers must take an oath of loyalty to the United States 
government and to the provisional government of Missouri. 
Failure on the part of any officer to take the oath^ within 
sixty days made the office vacant. 

Many officers refused to take the oath and their places 
were filled with loyal men. The ordinance also provided 
that any person who should take the oath provided within 
sixty days "Shall be exempt from arrest or punishment for 
offenses previously committed against the provisional gov- 
ernment of this State, or giving aid or comfort to its enemies 
In the present Civil War." The sixty days during which 
this oath might be taken ended December 17, 1861. 

The First Test Oath for Voters. The convention was 
called together by Governor Gamble, June 2, 1862. It 
passed an ordinance dividing the State into nine Congres- 

convention and made chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations. 
When it became necessary to organize a provisional government, the 
convention selected him for governor. Worn out by his official duties, 
he died January 31, 1864. 

* This was the first test oath of loyalty for civil officers and citizens 
and was adopted October 16, 1861. 



136 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

sional Districts and providing for a general election of con- 
gressmen and members of the General Assembly on Tuesday 
after the first Monday in November, 1862. The first section 
defined the qualifications for voters and civil officers and 
provided that no person who had not previously taken the 
oath prescribed in the ordinance should vote at any election 
held in the State. 

The oath required the voter to swear that he would 
pledge true faith and allegiance to the United States govern- 
ment and that he would not give aid or comfort to its ene- 
mies or to the enemies of the provisional government of 
Missouri. That he had not since December 17, 1861 willfully 
taken up arms, or levied war, against the United States, or 
against the provisional government of the State of Missouri. 
A similar oath was prescribed for all persons who should be 
elected or appointed to any civil office in the State and for 
all jurymen, attorneys, teachers, and preachers. 

Emancipation. The most troublesome problem which 
the provisional government had to meet was that of emanci- 
pation. General Fremont, who had been made commander 
of the Department of Missouri in July, issued a proclama- 
tion declaring that the slaves of all persons found in armed 
rebellion against the United States should be free. This 
proclamation was at once disapproved by Lincoln. During 
the winter of 186 1 and 1862 Lincoln advocated compensated 
abolition in the border states.^ 

The President's plan was to free the slaves in the border states by 
compensating the owners before emancipating the slaves in the states in 
rebellion. He contemplated putting his plan in operation in Missouri 
first. (In fact President Lincoln made Missouri the key to his border 
state policies throughout his administration). In December, 1862 
Senator Henderson after conference with the President introduced a bill 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 860-1870 137 

A gradual emancipation ordinance was introduced in 
the convention in June, 1862, but it was defeated by a vote 
of fifty- two to nineteen. In November, 1862 a large major- 
ity of the members elected to the legislature favored 
some kind of emancipation.® The emancipationists, how- 
ever, were divided as to the method to be used. The 
conservative element favored gradual emancipation, but the 
more radical element favored immediate emancipation.^ 

appropriating |2o,ooo,ooo to pay the loyal slave owriers of Missouri for 
their slaves. A similar bill was introduced in the Honse, but it provided 
only ^10,000,000. Both the bills passed. But the difference in amount 
made a compromise between the two houses necessary. The Senate 
agreed to ^15,000,000, but the opponents of the measure in the House 
prevented a vote until the end of the session. Thus the attempt of Presi- 
dent Lincoln to compensate the loyal owners of slaves in the border states 
failed. 

® The question of emancipation was agitating the whole United States 
during the years 1861 to 1863. It must be remembered that President 
Lincoln's preliminary emancipation proclamation was issued in Septem- 
ber, 1862, and his final proclamation January i, 1863. These proclama- 
tions, however, did not affect the status of slavery in the border states. 
But they undoubtedly contributed much to the emancipation sentiment 
in these states. 

The rapid change in emancipation sentiment in Missouri can best 
be seen in the St. Louis elections. In the Congressional election in Novem- 
ber, 1862, the chief issue was emancipation. There was no question about 
the great majority being for emancipation. But the Republicans were 
divided into gradual and immediate emancipationists. So important 
was the issue considered that Frank P. Blair, the close friend of President 
Lincoln, who had saved Missouri for the Union, was persuaded to resign 
his commission in the army, come home, and run for Congress in the 
St. Louis district as a gradual emancipationist. There were three candi- 
dates and the vote was as follows: Blair, gradual emancipationist, 
4,743; Knox, immediate emancipationist, 4,590; and Bogy, Democrat, 

-'^^^ . 

■^ Five months later the immediate emancipationists, now called 

Radicals, carried the city election in St. Louis by an overwhelming major- 
it v. 



138 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

But the legislature had no power to emancipate the slaves, 
because that could not be done without changing the con- 
stitution. Some claimed that the convention did have such 
power. The rapid increase in emancipation sentiment 
convinced the conservatives that some kind of emancipation 
must come soon. To prevent immediate emancipation, 
Governor Gamble called together the convention elected in 
1 86 1, and recommended the passage of a gradual emancipa- 
tion ordinance. The convention met June 15 and passed 
the suggested oi^inance. All slaves were declared to be free 
after July 4, 1870.^ 

If Governor Gamble and the gradual emancipationists 
thought this measure would solve the problem and bring 
the agitation to an end, they were mistaken. It seems 
rather to have spurred the Radicals to action 

The Radical Convention. The Radicals answered the 
conservative attempt at emancipation by calling a mass 
convention at Jefferson City.^ Resolutions were passed 
condemning the Gamble government and asking Governor 
Gamble and Lieutenant-Governor Hall to resign; sustaining 
the United States government in a vigorous prosecution of 
the war; commending President Lincoln's Emancipation 
Proclamation and urging the employment of negro troops; 

^The convention adjourned July i, 1863 and was never called to- 
gether again. 

^ Davis and Durrie's "History of Missouri" says: "four-fifths of the 
counties were represented." Switzler in his history of Missouri says: 
"forty-four counties were unrepresented. Fifteen counties were repre- 
sented by but one person; six by but two; eight by but three; nine by but 
four; etc. St. Louis County furnished 107; Franklin County, forty-nine; 
Moniteau, forty-four; Cole, thirty-seven; St. Charles, thirty-one; Pettis, 
twenty-eight; Miller and Johnson, twenty-four each." The counties along 
the Missouri Pacific Railroad sent most of the delegates. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1860-1870 139 

and demanding that the State legislature call a constitu- 
tional convention to emancipate the slaves immediately. 
A committee of seventy, was appointed to go to Washington 
to explain the Missouri situation to President Lincoln. 
This committee passed through a number of large cities of 
the North on its way to Washington. Everywhere it was 
entertained and encouraged by the radical element of the 
North who wanted the slaves of the border states freed and 
negro soldiers used against the South. The final public 
reception was given to the committee at New York City. 
When the committee arrived in Washington both the Mis- 
sourians and President Lincoln realized that the committee 
represented not only the Radicals of Missouri but also those 
of the whole nation. The President heard the complaints 
and requests of the committee and after considering them 
for five days gave the committee his reply, which was for the 
most part a refusal to grant their requests. ^"^ They had 
requested the removal of General Schofield as commander 

^° The reply of President Lincoln to this committee is one of the long- 
est letters he ever wrote. The paragraph which describes the condition of 
Missouri during the Civil War is considered the best description of the 
factional situation ever written. It is as follows: "We are In Civil War. 
In such cases there always is a main question; but In this case that ques- 
tion Is a perplexing compound — Union and Slavery. It thus becomes a 
question not of two sides merely but of at least four sides, even among 
those who are for the Union, saying nothing of those who are against it. 
Thus, those who are for the Union with, but not without, Slavery — those 
for it without but not with — those for It with or without, but prefer it 
with, and those for it with or without but prefer it without. 

"Among these again is a subdivision of those who are for gradual, but 
not for immediate, and those who are for Immediate, but not for gradual 
extinction of slavery. It is easy to conceive that all these shades of 
opinion, and even more, may be sincerely entertained by honest and truth- 
ful men. Yet, all being for the Union, by reason of these differences, each 
will prefer a different way of sustaining the Union. At once smcerity 



I40 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of the Department of Missouri. The President's refusal to 
do so displeased the Missouri Radicals and they took an 
active part in calling a national convention which met in 
Cleveland, Ohio in May, 1864 and nominated John C. 
Freemont for president. They also controlled the delegation 
in the regular Republican convention at Baltimore and cast 
the vote of the State against Lincoln." 

The Constitutional Convention of 1865. The Radicals 
carried the State in November, 1864 and elected Thomas C. 
Fletcher^^ governor. The resolution submitted by the legis- 
lature calling a Constitutional Convention was also carried. 

is questioned and motives assailed. Actual war coming, blood grows hot, 
and blood is spilled. Thought is forced from old channels into confusion. 
Deception breeds and thrives. Confidence dies, and universal suspicion 
reigns. Each man feels an impulse to kill his neighbor, lest he be killed 
by him. Revenge and retaliation follow. And all this, as before said, 
may be among honest men only. But this is not all. Every foul bird 
comes abroad, and every dirty reptile rises up. These add crime to con- 
fusion. Strong measures deemed indispensable, but harsh at best, such 
men make worse by maladministration. Murders for old grudges, and 
murders for pelf, proceed under any cloak that will best cover for the 
occasion. These causes amply account for what has occurred in Missouri, 
without ascribing it to the weakness or wickedness of any General." 

" The votes of Missouri delegates were the only votes cast agamst 
Lincoln in the Convention. The Missourians voted for Grant, but after 
roll call was completed they changed their votes from Grant to Lincoln 
thus making the nomination unanimous. But they had shown their 
disapproval of Lincoln by voting against him. 

12 Thomas Clement Fletcher was born in Jefferson County, Missouri 
in 1827. He received a common school education. He was elected circuit 
clerk of Jefferson County in 1854 and admitted to the bar in 1857, while 
still circuit clerk. He was an opponent of slavery and became an active 
Republican upon the organization of that party. He was delegate to the 
Republican National Convention in i860. He was a colonel of the thirty- 
first Missouri regiment in the Union Army. Fletcher was elected in 1864, 
and was the first native born Missourian as well as the first Republican 
to be governor of the State. He died in 1899. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1860-1870 141 

t 
The delegates were elected at a special election and the 

convention assembled January 6, 1865. It passed an ordi- 
nance abolishing slavery immediately, January 11, 1865. 
Thus Missouri abolished slavery within the State before the 
thirteenth amendment became operative. 

The convention then drew up a constitution of which the 
ordinance became a part. This constitution contained a 
drastic test oath which all voters were required to take. 
Another provision contained a similar oath which all teach- 
ers, preachers, and lawyers were required to take before they 
were allowed to practice their professions. The constitution 
was submitted to the people for adoption, but only those 
who could take a special oath of loyalty prescribed by the 
convention were allowed to vote. The constitution was 
adopted by a vote of 43,670 to 41,808. Thus the majority 
in favor of it was 1,862. 

The convention had on March 17 passed an ordinance, 
sometimes called the Ousting Ordinance, which provided 
that the offices of judges of the supreme court, the circuit 
courts and certain county officials should be vacated. Gov- 
ernor Fletcher was given power to fill these offices by ap- 
pointment until the next regular election. This ordinance 
put the machinery of the State government entirely in the 
hands of the Radicals. 

The Rule of the Radicals. The legislature passed a 
registration law in 1866 which gave the superintendent of 
registration in each registration district great powers. This 
law was amended in 1868 by making the superintendents of 
registration appointive rather than elective, as they had 
been. The operation of the test oath for voters and the dras- 
tic administration of the registration laws enabled the 



142 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Radicals to remain in power from 1864 to 1870. The opposi- 
tion to the Radicals came from two sources, the democratic 
party which was reorganized by Lewis Bogy and John S. 
Phelps, and the Conservative Union party, a faction of the 
Republican party under the leadership of Frank P. Blair. 
After the Radical victory of 1866 the Conservative Union 
party ceased to exist. Most of its members following the 
lead of Frank P. Blair joined the Democratic organization. 

Under the Constitution of 1865 the governor's term of 
office was two years, but he could be elected to succeed him- 
self. Governor Fletcher was re-elected in 1866. In 1868 the 
Radicals carried the State for Grant by a majority of more 
than 25,000. Joseph W. McClurg^^ was elected governor 
over John S. Phelps, Democrat, by a majority of nearly 
20,000. 

But the dissatisfaction with the Radical administration 
was growing rapidly within the party. 

The Rise of the Liberal Republican Party. Some promi- 
nent members of the Radical party had never been in hearty 
accord with the majority of the party on the policy of dis- 
franchising so many people by requiring the test oath for 
voters. This liberal sentiment grew rapidly in the ranks of 

^^ Joseph W. McClurg was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, Feb. 
22, 181 8. He was educated at Oxford, Ohio. He taught school for a time 
but began the practice of law in 1840. Later he moved to Camden County 
and became a merchant. In i860 he was an outspoken unconditional 
Union man. He soon became a leader in that section of the State, and 
was elected to Congress in 1862 where he served until he was elected 
governor in 1868. McClurg has the distinction of being the first governor 
to recommend a law forbidding the sale of intoxicating liquor as a bever- 
age. After his defeat for governor by B. Gratz Brown in 1870 he retired 
to private life. In 1889 he was appointed register of the land office at 
Springfield, Missouri. He died at his home in Lebanon, Missouri in 1900 
at the age of eighty-two. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1860-1870 143 

the party in the later sixties. In 1867 a German named 
Carl Schurz^'^ moved from Michigan to St. Louis to become 
editor of a German newspaper. He soon became a leader 
in the liberal movement. In the Republican State Conven- 
tion which met in Jefferson City on August 31, 1870, Schurz 
became chairman of the resolutions committee. He made 
the majority report of the committee which advocated the 
removal of all political disabilities and the extension of the 
suffrage to all classes of citizens. A minority report was 
presented opposing the immediate removal of the political 
disabilities. The convention adopted the minority report 
by a vote of 439 to 342. About 250 delegates immediately 
left the convention and nominated a full state ticket with 
B. Gratz Brown for governor. The new party took the name 
Liberal Republican party. The Democrats did not make 
nominations for state offices, but supported the ticket 
nominated by the Liberal Republicans. The Radical Con- 
vention nominated Governor McClurg. Brown^^ was elected 

^^ Carl Schurz was born in Germany, March 2, 1829. He came to 
the United States in 1852, and Uved in Philadelphia for three years, and 
then moved to Wisconsin. He became an active Republican and took 
part in the Lincoln-Douglas Campaign against Douglas. During the 
Civil War he rose to the rank of major general. After the War he went to 
Detroit and started a German newspaper. In 1867 Schurz moved to St. 
Louis to become editor of a German language paper there. He soon 
became a leader in Missouri politics and was elected to the United States 
Senate from Missouri in 1869. He took a leading part in the organization 
of the Liberal Republican Party in Missouri in 1872. He was a chairman 
of the National Convention in Cincinnati which nominated Horace 
Greeley. Schurz was especially associated with the Civil Service Reform. 
He was made secretary of interior by President Hays. He made much 
trouble for the spoils politicians, and they made as much trouble for him 
as they could. He worked and voted for Cleveland in 1884. 

^^ Benjamin Gratz Brown was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 
1826. He was graduated at Yale in 1847, ^^^ moved to St. Louis where he 



144 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

over McClurg by a majority of 41, 038. Six amendments to 
the Constitution had been submitted to the people at the 
general election in 1870. These amendments removed the 
objectionable features of the Constitution. They were 
adopted by majorities ranging from 105,000 to 130,000. 

The Liberal movement in the Republican party which 
had been so successful in Missouri spread to other states and 
led to the organization of the National Liberal Republican 
party in 1872. Besides a general amnesty the party advo- 
cated lower tariffs and Civil Service Reform. 

began the practice of law the same year. He was elected to the state legis- 
lature as a Benton Democrat in 1854. He became editor of the "Demo- 
crat" (how "Globe Democrat") in 1854. Brown fought the last political 
duel in the State with Thomas C. Reynolds, later lieutenant governor of 
the State. Brown was severely wounded in the knee. He became a Re- 
publican about 1858, and was active along with Blair and Lyon in saving 
Missouri for the Union in 1861. He was elected to the Senate, 1863 to 
1867. He was one of the original leaders of the Liberal Republicans and 
was elected governor by more than 40,000 majority. Brown became a 
candidate for vice-president. He died at his home in St. Louis in 1885. • 



QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER V 

1. What question confronted the twenty-first General Assembly when it 
met? 

2. What was Governor Stewart's advice? 

3. What recommendations did Governor Jackson make? 

4. What action did the General Assembly take? 

5. What action was taken at the special session? 

6. What was the issue before the people when they voted for delegates to 
the convention? 

7. What was the result of the election? 

8. What action did the convention take? 

9. What was the effect in Missouri of the firing upon Fort Sumpter? 

10. How was the provisional government created? 

11. What difficulties confronted the new government? 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1860-1870 145 

12. Give a sketch of the life of Frank P. Blair, of Governor Jackson, of 
Governor Gamble. 

13. When and why was the first test oath passed? 

14. What was the political issue in the election of 1862? 

15. What was the President's plan for freeing the slaves of the border 
states? 

16. Why did not the legislature take some action on emancipation? 

17. What action was taken by the convention? 

18. What was the drift of pubHc sentiment on the subject of emancipa- 
tion? How was it shown? 

19. What action was taken by the Radical convention at Jefiferson City? 

20. How was the committee of seventy received in the North and at 
Washington? 

21. Discuss Lincoln's reply to the committee. 

22. What was the attitude of the Missouri Radicals toward Lincoln after 
that? 

23. What were the most prominent features of the Constitution of 1865? 



CHAPTER VI 
THE CIVIL WAR 

The Arsenal at St. Louis. The secession movement in 
Missouri was definitely checked by the refusal of the conven- 
tion to pass an ordinance of secession. Governor Jackson 
and other advocates of secession were compelled to adopt a 
waiting policy. 

One of the largest arsenals in the United States was 
located near St. Louis. Jefferson Davis, who had been 
secretary of war under Buchanan, had adopted the policy 
of placing the United States arsenals in the southern states 
under the command of men who were in sympathy with 
the South. These men usually surrendered the United 
States arsenals to the state governments on demand. Such 
demands were always made immediately after a state had 
passed an ordinance of secession. A letter^ dated January 
24, 1 861 (more than three months before Lyon took Camp 

^ Extracts from General Frost's letter. 

"St. Louis, Mo., January 24, 1861. 
"His Excellency, C. F. Jackson, Governor of Missouri. 

"Dear Sir: I have just returned from the arsenal, where I have had an 
interview with Major Bell, the commanding officer of that place. I found 
the Major everything that you or I could desire. He assured me that he 
considered that Missouri had, whenever the time came, a right to claim it 
as being on her soil. He gave me to understand that he would not attempt 
any defense against the proper state authorities." The letter then goes 
into considerable detail concerning the agreement between Bell and 
Frost. The letter was captured with other confederate records in Alabama 
near the close of the War. 

146 



THE CIVIL WAR 



147 



Jackson), from General Frost to Governor Jackson shows 
the purpose of Jackson to seize the arsenal at St. Louis and 
indicates that the commander, Major Bell, was ready to 
surrender the arsenal to the State authorities on demand. 

Soon after Fort Sumter was hred upon, President Lin- 
coln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers. Missouri's quota 
was 4,000. Governor Jackson refused to furnish a man. 

Frank P. Blair, leader of the unconditional Union men, 
had begun the organization of military clubs in St. Louis 




Francis P. Blair 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, 
by permission of the Missouri Histor- 
ical Society 



148 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

soon after South Carolina had passed the ordinance of seces- 
sion. The membership in these clubs now numbered several 
thousand men who had been drilling without arms. 

Upon Jackson's refusal to furnish men to the national 
government, Blair telegraphed President Lincoln offering to 
fill the entire quota from his military clubs. The offer was 
promptly accepted. The men were mustered into the 
United States service and armed from the arsenal. Blair 
knew of Major Bell's sympathy for the secession movement 
and urged President Lincoln to remove Bell and place 
Captain Nathaniel Lyon,^ a strong Union man in command 
of the arsenal. President Lincoln complied with Blair's re- 

- Nathaniel Lyon was born in Ashford, Connecticut, July 14, 1818. 
He was graduated from West Point in 1841, was assigned to the second 
infantry, served with his regiment in Florida and in the Mexican War and 
was promoted to first lieutenant during the march from Vera Cruz to 
Mexico. He was commended to special notice and promoted to captain 
August ao, 1847. From 1849 ^o 1853 he was on duty in California and 
made a successful campaign against the Indians. In 1854 he spent the 
winter in Washington and listened to the debates in Congress on the 
Kansas-Nebraska Bill. The next year he was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas, 
about 120 miles west of Kansas City. There he was in the midst of the 
bitter struggle between the Free State emigrants and the Missourians. 
He did all an officer of the army dared to do to aid the Free State people. 
Writing in 1855, after discussing the preparations made to resist the 
Missourians he said: "Indeed it is fully apprehended that the aggression 
of the pro-slavery men will not be checked till a lesson has been taught in 
letters of fire and blood." 

In January, 1861 he was stationed at Fort Scott, Kansas. On Janu- 
ary 2.7 he wrote: "I do not consider troops at all necessary here, and 
should much prefer to be employed in the legitimate and appropriate 
service of contributing to stay the id" otic fratricidal hands now at work to 
destroy our government. ... It is no longer useful to appeal to reason, 
but to the sword. I shall rot hesitate to rejoice at the triumph of my prin- 
ciples, though this triumph may involve an issue, in which I certainly 
expect to expose, and very likely lose, my life." "I would a thousand 



THE CIVIL WAR 149 

quest, but Lyon was subordinate to Harney, who com- 
manded the Department of the West. There was no 
danger of the arsenal's being surrendered without a fight 
after Lyon was placed in command. Governor Jackson 
seized the United States Arsenal at Liberty. Harney was 
then called to Washington and Lyon given full authority. 

Camp Jackson. Under orders from the Adjutant- 
General of the State, General Frost, on May 3, 1861, 
organized a military camp in the suburbs of St. Louis. State 
troops were assembled, and arms and ammunition were 
gathered from various places. One of the streets of the 
camp was named Beauregard and another Davis in honor of 
the two most noted southern leaders.^ Blair and Lyon 

times rather incur this, than recall the results of our presidential election. 
We shall rejoice, though, in martyrdom, if need be." Four days later 
he was ordered to St. Louis with his company. 

Colonel Sneed describing him at this time says: "He was now in the 
forty-third year of his age; of less than medium height; slender and angu- 
lar; with auburn hair of a sandy color, and a coarse reddish-brown beard. 
He had deep set blue eyes; features that were rough and homely; and the 
weather-beaten aspect of a man who had seen much hard service on the 
frontier." His life from the day of his arrival at St. Louis until the day of 
his death on the field of Wilson Creek is a part of Missouri history. 

^ Much sympathy with the Confederates was displayed in St. Louis. 
On March fourth, the day of Lincoln's inauguration, an incident occurred 
which illustrates the aggressive boldness of the secessionist minority. 
The night before, a body of about fifty "minute men" (the military drill 
clubs of the secessionists which corresponded to Blair's "wide awakes") 
raised a flag over their headquarters representing the Confederate states. 
Great excitement prevailed. A large mob gathered in the street and 
threatened to tear the flag down. The number of minute men in the 
building increased to about a hundred. All had muskets. They also had 
a great quantity of hand grenades and a small cannon loaded and placed 
to command the entrance. 

Blair and Lyon kept their followers quiet and toward midnight the 
crowd dispersed. The secessionist group had intended to precipitate a 



I50 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

decided that the militia drilling there should be captured at 
once. On the afternoon of the tenth of May, Lyon marched 
from the arsenal with a force so large that resistance was 
impossible. He surrounded the camp, which surrendered 
without firing a shot. 

After the surrender of the camp, while arrangements 
were being made for taking care of or paroling the prisoners, 
a very large crowd assembled. After a while the crowd 
became a mob and attacked a company of German soldiers 
with sticks, stones, etc. Some officer gave the command to 
fire. A volley was fired into the crowd. A number of per- 
sons were killed. Exaggerated reports that the German 
troops were plundering, burning, and killing spread to all 
parts of the State. The legislature, which had been called 
in extra session after the firing on Fort Sumter, now passed 
the Militia Law which made the governor practically a dic- 
tator. 

The governor immediately began raising a large army. 
General Price now went over to the South. He was made 
commander of the state troops. 

The Price-Harney Agreement. Genefal Harney, who 
had been temporarily away when Lyon captured Camp 
Jackson, returned and assumed command. 

He made a last efi^ort to preserve the peace of the State. 
General Price was invited by General Harney to a conference 
in St. Louis. The two commanders reached an agreement, 
usually called the Price-Harney agreement. Price promised 
to use force only to keep order and restore peace. Harney 
agreed not to interfere outside of the city of St. Louis. This 

fight and in the confusion to seize the arsenal. In this they failed. This 
affair helped Blair to convince the government at Washington that Lyon 
should be placed in command of the arsenal. 



THE CIVIL WAR 151 

agreement was practically a recognition of the neutrality of 
Missouri.^ The government at Washington could not agree 
to the Price-Harney agreement. Harney was relieved of 
his command, and Lyon was placed in charge. He began 
immediate preparation to stop the recruiting of State troops 
for use, as Lyon thought, and as afterwards proved to be 
the case, against the government of the United States. 

The Conference at St. Louis. Before military operations 
began, another conference was held at the Planters Hotel 
in St. Louis between the representatives of the United States 
and of the state of Missouri. The United States was repre- 
sented by General Lyon, Frank P. Blair and Major Conant; 
the State, by Governor Jackson, General Price and Thomas 
L. Sneed,'' private' secretary of Governor Jackson. The con- 

* To a great many people, who did not think through the problems of 
the times, neutrality seemed to be a fair solution ot the difficult position 
for the border states. Jackson and the secession group insisted upon 
neutrality. But the power to make a declaration of neutrality implies the 
power to declare war or make peace treaties. Both of these powers are 
specifically denied to the states by the constitution of the United States. 

Thus neutrality is one of the charac eristics of a sovereign state. 
The recognition of the neutrality of Missouri by the United States govern- 
ment would have been equivalent to recognizing that Missouri was an 
independent sovereign state with power to declare war, and make peace, 
raise armies, coin money and do any ot the things that an independent 
sovereign state may do. 

That was exactly what the war was about. To have recognized the 
right of a state to declare itself neutral would have been equivalent to a 
recognition of the right of secession both in theory and practice. 

•^ After Jackson fled from Jefferson City and no longer needed a 
private secretary, Sneed became a colonel and was placed on General 
Price's staff". He served the Confederacy during the War. Colonel 
Sneed had been editor of the St. Louis "Bulletin" before the War and was 
an enthusiastic Breckenridge man in the campaign of i860. He was a 
man of education and culture, and an excellent writer. His book, "The 
Fight for Missouri," is the best account we have of the war in Missouri in 
1861. 



152 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

ference accomplished nothing in the way of an agreement. 
It did make clear the issues in the conflict and brought 
immediate action. 

The conference lasted from four to six hours. After it 
was clear that the only proposal Governor Jackson had to 
submit was neutrality, General Lyon brought the conference 
to a close in dramatic fashion.^ Jackson returned imme- 
diately to Jefferson City, burning the bridge over the Gas- 
conade after his train had passed over it. 

Military Operations. The conference at St. Louis was 
held on June ii, 1861. On the thirteenth. General Lyon 
with 1,500 men left St. Louis for Jefferson City. On the 
fifteenth he took possession of the city. Governor Jackson 
had issued a proclamation calling 50,000 men to arms. He 
had sent General Price up the river to Boonville, Lexington 
and Independence to assemble as many men as he could. 

On the day before Lyon arrived, Jackson left Jefferson 
City and went to Boonville where the State militia were 
assembling under Colonel Marmaduke. 

® Colonel Sneed describes the conclusion of the conference as follows: 
"Lyon closed it as he had opened it, 'Rather,' said he (he was still seated 
and spoke deliberately, slowly, and with peculiar emphasis), 'Rather than 
concede to the state of Missouri the right to demand that my government 
shall not enlist troops within her limits or bring troops into the State when- 
ever it pleases, or move its troops at its own will into, out of, or through 
the State; rather than to concede to the state of Missouri for one single 
instant the right to dictate to my government in any matter however 
unimportant, I would' (rising as he said this, and pointing in turn to 
every one in the room) 'see you, and you, and you, and you, and you and 
every man, woman, and child in the State dead and buried.' Turning 
to the governor he said, 'This means war. In an hour one of my officers 
will call for you and conduct you out of my lines.' " With that he left the 
room. 



THE CIVIL WAR 153 

Lyon, after arranging for the occupation of Jefferson 
City, by three companies under Colonel Boernstein, em- 
barked the rest of his command on steamboats and proceeded 
up the river to Boonville. He arrived within eight miles of 
the city Monday morning, June 17, and disembarked the 
greater part of his army. Governor Jackson ordered Colonel 
Marmaduke to meet Lyon and hold him in check until 
General Parsons could arrive from Tipton with his com- 
mand. Marmaduke met Lyon's forces, but after a brief 
action he was compelled to retreat to Boonville. During the 
retreat the greater part of the militia under his command 
was dispersed. General Parsons having arrived with his 
men, Governor Jackson retreated to Warsaw, in Benton 
County, and crossed the Osage. 

While the battle of Boonville was insignificant as a mili- 
tary engagement, it was a blow from which the secessionists 
never recovered. Colonel Sneed says: "It was the con- 
summation ot Blair's statemanlike scheme to make it 
impossible for Missouri to secede. It was also the crowning 
achievement of Lyon's well conceived campaign." 

The capture of Camp Jackson had prevented the seces- 
sionists from seizing the arms belonging to the L^nited States 
government and had made St. Louis and the surrounding 
counties secure. The flight of Governor Jackson from Jeffer- 
son City had deprived the State government of that prestige 
which gives force to authority. The dispersion of the volun- 
teers, who had answered the governor's call to fight for the 
South, at the battle of Boonville extended Lyon's conquest 
over all north Missouri; made the Missouri River a federal 
highway; and prevented men and supplies from the rich 
counties north of the river getting to Price and the Con- 
federates. 



1 54 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



The Battle of Carthage. General Price, who had been 
sent by Governor Jackson to Lexington, arrived there the 
next day after the battle of Boonville. He immediately 
began organizing the several thousand militia who had 
assembled there. But upon hearing of the retreat of Jackson 




Gr.NLi<.\i- SiLKi.iNG Price 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center State, by permission 

of the Missouri Historical Society 

to Warsaw, Price left General Rains in command with orders 
to move his forces to Lamar in Barton County; and taking 
his staff and a small escort, he went to Arkansas to meet the 
Confederate General McCullough and urged him to come 
to the aid of the Missouri secessionists. 

Governor Jackson moved his force from Warsaw to La- 
mar and joined General Rains. Before Lyon left St. Louis 



THE CIVIL WAR 155 

he sent three regiments to southwestern Missouri to cut off 
the retreat of Price and Jackson, whom he expected to move 
in that direction. This force under the command of Sweeny 
had moved to Springfield. Seigel was sent by Sweeny to 
Carthage with a force of about nine hundred men to intercept 
Price. Finding that Price had already passed, Seigel decided 
to try to hold Jackson north of Spring River until Lyon 
could arrive. Moving north he met Jackson a few miles 
south of Lamar. There were about 6,000 men under Jack- 
son's command, but about 2,000 of them were unarmed. 
The superiority in numbers enabled Jackson to threaten 
Seigel's flank and compel him to retreat. Seigel, however, 
succeeded in withdrawing his army and escaping with his 
supply train. He had failed in his purpose to prevent the 
union of Jackson's forces with the Confederate army under 
McCullough which was advancing from Arkansas. The 
battle of Carthage was fought on the fifth of July. McCul- 
lough had entered Missouri on the fourth, and his army 
and Jackson's were united on the sixth, the next day after 
the battle. Seigel had barely escaped getting caught 
between the two armies. He reti'eated to Mt. Vernon. 

Lyon's Difficulties. The next day after the battle of 
Boonville, June 18, Lyon was notified that Missouri had 
been detached from the Department of the West and 
attached to the Department of Ohio under the command 
of General George B. McClellan. Blair, although badly 
needed by Lyon, was sent to Washington to try to get 
Missouri placed under command of Lyon, but in this he 
failed. He did, however, succeed in getting Missouri and 
Illinois, and the other states between the Mississippi and the 



iS6 



HISTORY OK MlSSOLRl 




Gen. Nathaniel Lyon 
Who Captured Camp Jackson 
and Fell at Wilson's Creek 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center 
State, by permission of the Mis- 
souri Historical Society 

Rocky Mountains organized in a separate department and 
placed under the command of General John C. Fremont. 

This was done July 3, but Fremont did not reach St. 
Louis until July 2,5. Lyon had been detained at Boonville 
several days in securing wagons and supplies for his march 
southwest from Boonville. After starting he was delayed 
by high water. On reaching the Osage River a few miles 
north of Osceola on July 9 he learned of Seigel's defeat and 
changing his course marched rapidly to Springfield. 

He now had under his command about 6,000 men in 
and around Springfield. After the union of Jackson and 
Price with the Confederate forces from Arkansas, Lyon was 
confronted with from 11,000 to 13,000 men in the combined 



THE CIVIL WAR 157 

armies. The enlistment of 3,000 of Lyon's command expired 
about the middle of August. He repeatedly urged Fremont 
to send him reinforcements. Although Fremont had fifty- 
six thousand men in Missouri and many of them Idle, he 
paid no attention to Lyon's urgent requests for aid until 
it was too late. 

The Battle of Wilson Creek. Left to his own resources 
and outnumbered two to one Lyon decided to fight rather 
than surrender all that had been gained in his campaign.^ 
Price and McCullough advanced toward Springfield to Wil- 
son Creek about ten miles to the southwest of the city. 
Lyon, instead of waiting for the Confederate forces to attack 
him, moved out and attacked the enemy about five o'clock 
on the morning of the tenth of August. The attack was a 
complete surprise to the Confederates, and at first they fell 
back. General Price soon rallied his men, and one of the 
most desperate battles of the war took place. General 
Lyon was killed. The losses of his army amounted to more 
than twenty-four per cent of those engaged.^ Although 
Lyon's army had been defeated and he had been killed, the 

^ Lyon wrote a letter to General Fremont on the night of August 
ninth before starting to attack the Confederates. The letter Is a state- 
ment of the situation. Colonel Sneed in his "Fight for Missouri" quotes 
Lyon's letter and then comments as follows: "Not one word about the 
desperate battle that he was to fight on the morrow; not one fault-finding 
utterance; not a breath of complaint! But, true to his convictions; true 
to his flag; true to the Union men of Missouri who confided in and fol- 
lowed him; true to himself; and true to duty, he went out to battle against 
a force twice as great as his own, with a calmness that was as pathetic 
as his courage was sublime." 

® Colonel Sneed places the loss of the Union army at 1,317, and the loss 
of the Confederates at 1,-30. He places the number engaged under Lyon 
at 5,400 and under Price and McCullough at 11,000 arm.ed and 2,000 
unarmed men. 



1 5 8 fflSTORY OF MISSOURI 

Confederates had suffered severely and did not attempt 
pursuit of the Union army. McCullough retired to Arkan- 
sas and Price was left to handle the situation in Missouri. 
Lyon^ had not sacrificed his life in vain. His campaign had 
been successful and accomplished its purpose although he 
was defeated and killed at Wilson Creek. He had driven the 
governor and lieutenant governor from the State and had 
given the Convention time to meet and organize a loyal 
government. In short he had saved Missouri for the Union. 

The Battle of Pea Ridge. After the battle of Wilson 
Creek the Union army retired to Rolla. Price marched 
north to Lexington, Missouri and there captured Colonel 
Mulligan and 3,000 Union soldiers. Threatened by a large 
Union army marching to Springfield, Price soon returned to 
the southwestern part of the State. Fremont moved to 
Springfield where he collected an army of 40,000 men. 

^ Colonel Sneed, Price's chief of staff at Wilson Creek, in estimating 
Lyon's work says: "Lyon had not fought and died in vain. By capturing 
the State militia at Camp Jackson, and driving the governor from the 
capital, and all his troops into the uttermost corner of the State, and by 
holding Price and McCullough at bay, he had given the Union men of 
Missouri time, and opportunity, and courage to bring their State Conven- 
tion together again; and had given the Convention an excuse and the 
power to depose Governor Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds, 
to vacate the seats of the members of the General Assembly, and to estab- 
lish a State government, which was loyal to the Union, and which would 
use the whole organized power of the State, its treasury, its credit, its 
militia, and all its great resources, to sustain the Union and crush the 
South. All this had been done while Lyon was boldly confronting the 
overwhelming strength of Price and McCullough. Had he abandoned 
Springfield instead, and opened to Price a pathway to the Missouri; had 
he not been willing to die for the freedom of the negro, and for the preser- 
vation of the Union, none of these things would have been done. By 
wisely planning, by boldly doing, and by bravely dying, he had won the 
fight for Missouri." 



THE CIVIL WAR 159 

But Price was allowed to hold the southwest counties of the 
State until February, 1862.^'^ 

General Fremont was relieved of the command in Mis- 
souri. In February the Union army, now under General 
Curtis, moved into southwestern Missouri. Price retreated 
to northwestern Arkansas. Here he was joined by the 
Confederate Generals McCullough and Van Dorn. The 
combined Confederate forces now numbered about 25,000 
men. General Curtis took a strong position at Pea Ridge 
with his army which numbered 10,500 men. Here he was 
attacked by the Confederates. After a three days* battle 
the Union army was completely victorious. General McCul- 
lough was killed and the Confederate army was so badly 
beaten that it was disorganized. Price and 5,000 Missour- 
ians were transferred east of the Mississippi. The victory 
at Pea Ridge brought to an end the serious attempts of the 
secessionists to control Missouri. 

Price's Raid. Only once after the battle of Pea Ridge 
did a real Confederate army enter Missouri. General Price 
in 1864 made a raid through the State. He entered the 
southeastern part of the State and rapidly passed Doniphan 
and Pilot Knob into Franklin County. There he turned west 
toward Jefferson City, but General Rosecrans, who com- 
majided the Department of Missouri, had ordered a concen- 
tration of Union troops there, and Price went around the 
capital. Passing through Boonville and Lexington, he 
reached Independence. Here he was overtaken and badly 

^° Governor Jackson now returned to the State and called the legisla- 
ture in special session at Neosho, October 21. Of course only such mem- 
bers of the legislature as had joined their fortunes to the South responded 
to the call. Those present passed an ordinance of secession and elected 
senators and representatives to the Confederate Congress at Richmond. 



i6o HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

defeated by the Union forces. Price himself and some of 
his men escaped into Arkansas. The raid had accomplished 
nothing but the useless destruction of property and a great 
deal of suffering. 

The Local Struggle. After the battle of Pea Ridge many 
of the Missourians engaged in the early campaigns in Mis- 
souri on the side of the South returned to the State. Many 
of these operated in small bands and gave the State govern- 
ment and the Union forces in the State much trouble. Some 
of these bands observed the rules of warfare. Others took 
no prisoners, but murdered people, and burned and destroyed 
property without the slightest regard for any government 
or rules of any kind. They called themselves Confederates. 
Raids, massacres, and military reprisals followed one another 
in rapid succession. Neighbors were suspicious of each other. 
Brother was turned against brother. No man was safe, 
and frequently women and children suffered untold miseries. 
Feeling ran high. Men were almost driven into lawlessness. 
Many took advantage of the disorder to retaliate personal 
grudges. In all this strife two distinct kinds of warfare 
prevailed. One was the effort on the part of local Confeder- 
ate leaders to recruit organized companies for service in the 
South and get them out of the State. These recruiting 
efforts were the cause of many small but desperate battles 
in the State, because one object of the Union forces was to 
prevent such recruiting. The other type of warfare was 
usually known as guerilla warfare. It consisted of raids, 
destruction of property, and murders on the part of the 
guerilla bands, and the efforts of the authorities to kill or 
capture these bands. These guerilla leaders had friends 
and relatives who aided and often concealed them. The 



THE CIVIL WAR i6i 

Union forces were on the look-out for those who aided the 
guerillas. Both the guerilla bands and the Union forces 
were composed largely of citizens of Missouri. The hatred 
and desire for revenge aroused by this local warfare did not 
cease with the end of the war. Both groups engaged in the 
struggle continued to live in the State. For this reason 
there is probably no other state in the Union in which the 
feeling aroused by the Civil War lasted as it did in Missouri. 
The State was not a victim of carpet bag government after 
the war, but the condition of the State was worse than it 
would have been if the government during the reconstruction 
period had been a carpet bag government. -^^ 

The reconstruction government of Missouri was not as 
irresponsible as the carpet bag governments of the South. 
But because the reconstruction political conflict was be- 
tween citizens who were to continue to live in the State, the 
contest was necessarily somewhat permanent. Farther 
south there was no permanent conflict on reconstruction 

1^ The carpet bag governments of the southern states were in the hands 
of northern immigrants supported by the negro population and protected 
by the United States army. When the army was withdrawn, the carpet- 
baggers immediately left for their former homes. They were no longer 
a part of the population of the state in which they had been holding office. 
There was no danger of their return to power. The citizenship of the com- 
munity except for the negro, and he had no voice in the government, was 
unanimous on political questions of the times. In Missouri the recon- 
struction government depended upon the votes of the white citizens of 
the state. The office holding group were actual citizens of the state and 
continued to live in the state after they lost their offices. Instead of 
depending upon the negro vote, the government depended upon constitu- 
tional limitations enacted during the war, which kept the election machin- 
ery in the hands of the office holding class. It could be used to disfranchise 
their opponents. After the reconstruction government lost control of 
the state, both its officers and their supporters remained citizens of the 
state and constituted a strong minority of its population. 



i62 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

questions within the citizenship of any state. The guerrilla 
warfare of Missouri also left a group of lawless men who 
became a menace to society. These men continued the life 
of robbing and murder. Jesse and Frank James and the 
Youngers were typical of this class. 



QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER VI 

1. How was the secession movement in Missouri first definitely checked? 

2. What is an arsenal? How did the arsenal at St. Louis compare with 
other arsenals? 

3. What was the usual procedure concerning United States arsenals 
located within a state which seceded? 

4. What evidence is there that the United States ofiicer in command of 
the St. Louis arsenal in January, 1861 was ready to surrender the arsenal to the 
state government? 

5. How did Governor Jackson respond to President Lincoln's call for 
volunteers? 

6. How were the men furnished? 

7. What change of commanders at the arsenal was made? Why? 

8. Give a sketch of the Ufe of General Lyon. 

9. Who organized Camp Jackson? Give date. 

10. What evidence was there of sympathy with the Confederates in Camp 
Jackson and St. Louis? 

11. When and by whom was Camp Jackson captured? 

12. What was the Price-Harney agreement? 

13. Why was it disapproved by President Lincoln? 

14. Why was neutraUty not a possible solution of the difficulties of the 
border states? 

15. What proposal did Governor Jackson have to submit at the conference 
at St. Louis? 

16. How was the conference closed? 

17. Trace the movements of Governor Jackson, General Price, and 
General Lyon in the campaign which followed the St. Louis conference. 

18. What was the effect of the battle of Boonville? 

19. What difficulties did Lyon have to contend with after the battle of 
Boonville? 

20. What aid did Jackson and Price receive after the battle of Carthage? 



THE CIVIL WAR 163 

21. What was the comparative strength of the two armies at the battle of 
Wilson Creek? 

22. Why did Lyon give battle under such disadvantages? 

23. What was the result of the battle of Wilson Creek? 

24. What was accomplished by Price's raid after the battle of Wilson 
Creek? 

25. What was the effect of the battle of Pea Ridge upon the Confederate 
cause in Missouri? 

26. Trace Price's raid through Missouri in 1864. What was accom- 
plished? 

27. Describe the two kinds of local warfare carried on in Missouri. 

28. What was the effect of this local warfare upon the state? 



PART IV 

MISSOURI A MODERN STATE: 1870-1920 

CHAPTER I 

GENERAL SURVEY 

A new period of Missouri history began about 1870. 
This was the fourth period of Missouri history and the third 
period of her statehood. In this centennial story of Mis- 
souri we have considered the fourth period as continuing to 
the end of the century of statehood, 1920, but there are a 
number of good reasons for dividing it into two periods. 
The more the problem is studied the more evident it becomes 
that about 1900 many changes were taking place in the State. 
People were beginning to think differently. There appeared 
a new attitude toward education, religion, politics and 
industry. The United States assumed a new position in 
international affairs, and Missouri had her part in doing the 
new work which this position brought to the country. A 
Missourian became treasurer of the island of Porto Rico. 
Many young Missourians went to the Philippines to aid in 
the education of the Philippinos. The wealth of the State 
began to increase very rapidly about 1900. But the popula- 
tion which had been showing a marked increase at each 
census made only slight increases after that date. Many 
reform movements, which had been agitated by a few people 
before, began about 1900 to become popular. The prohibi- 

164 



GENERAL SURVEY 165 

tion movement is a notable example. A more intensive 
study will probably cause the year 1900 to be made the end 
of the period which began about 1870, and the years 1900 to 
1920 will likely be thought of as a separate period. 

We shall, however, think of the years from 1870 to 1920 
as one period. When we think of this period as a whole, 
there are a number of facts that are very apparent. The 
period is one of great individual progress. It is marked by 
• the creation and development of corporations, the growth 
of cities, the importance of the manufacturing industry, 
and the increase of wealth. Between 1870 and 1920 the 
assessed valuation of Missouri has doubled twice. ^ Missouri 
had 2,000 miles of railroad in 1S70. In 1920 she had more 
than 10,000 miles. 

This period is also characterized by the development of 
voluntary co-operative associations of a cultural, vocational, 
and social nature. In the later part of the period the State 
through its institutions, departments of government, com- 
missions and boards has undertaken to do much of the work 
of society that can be done better by all working together 
than by individuals or small groups working separately. 
This activity of the State in doing or supervising the work of 
society is one of the most striking features of the last few 
years. 

^ The assessed valuation in 1870 was about 1500,000,000. In 1920 
it was more than $2,000,000,000. The estimated real value of property 
has increased a great deal more than the assessed value. The United 
States Census Bureau estimated the value of all property in Missouri 
in 1870 at $1,027,938,318. In 1912 the figures were $5,842,017,009. 
Between 1912 and 1920 the value of all property in the state more than 
doubled. Therefore, it is safe to say that the real value of the property 
in the state increased between 1870 and 1920 twelve times or from about 
one billion to about twelve billion dollars. 



1 66 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Although the progress of Missouri in both social and 
economic affairs has been remarkable, as a political organiza- 
tion the State has failed to keep pace with her citizens. This 
is largely because the State has been unfortunate in being 
hampered by the self-imposed limitations in her constitu- 
tion of 1875, which is still (1920) the fundamental law of 
the State. This document limited the State revenue to 
twenty cents on the hundred dollars assessed valuation, 
with the added provision that when the assessed valuation 
of the State should reach $900,000,000 the rate should not 
exceed fifteen cents on the hundred dollars valuation. The 
reasons for these limitations^ are easy to find, but that fact 
does not prevent their being very unfortunate today 

The great railroad debt and war debt had made taxation 
very high between 1865 and 1875. During a part of this 
ten year period the rate was sixty-two and one-half cents 
on the hundred dollars valuation. The reaction caused the 
tax limitation in the constitution of 1875. This lack of 
revenue after 1875 ^^^ caused the development of Missouri 
along political and institutional lines to be very conservative. 

^Between 1870 and 1920 a large number of state institu- 
tions were established. These included the five state normal 
schools recently changed to teachers' colleges, the School of 

2 Concerning this limitation Mr. Shoemaker in his Article on Six 
Periods of Missouri History says: "This is equivalent to saying, and this 
is practically what happened in 1892, that when Missouri's assessed wealth 
was $899,000,000 her state revenue tax should yield $1,750,000, but when 
Missouri's assessed wealth reached $900,000,000 this tax should be de- 
creased twenty-five per cent or about one-half million dollars. A true 
illustration would be given if a man were to declare that when his income 
reached $2,000 he would reduce it to $1,500; or if a corporation were to 
rule that when its business had reached a certain mark, it would curtail 
its own development." 



GENERAL SURVEY 167 

Mines, at Rolla, Lincoln Institute, three hospitals^ for the 
insane, two soldiers' homes, a fruit experimental station, a 
state sanatorium for tubercular patients, and the State 
Historical Society 

Considering the limitations on taxation, which have 
made it difficult and in many cases impossible to raise suffi- 
cient funds for co-operative work, Missouri has made won- 
derful progress from 1870 to 1920. She has made great 
advance in elementary education. She has assumed by far 
the greater part of the burden of higher education. She has 
established many boards and commissions for gathering 
information, carrying on inspection and doing other work 
for the good of her citizens. Thus by 1920 Missouri, in spite 
of her limited income, has become a great co-operative, 
modern commonwealth. 

^ There are in the State four hospitals for the insane. The one at Ful- 
ton was established in 1847 and is one of the oldest institutions of" its kind 
west of the Mississippi. 



QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER I 

1. What are the dates of the fourth period of Missouri history? 

2. What reasons are there for a possible division of the period into two 
periods? 

3. What are the leading characteristics of the period? 

4. What was the approximate assessed valuation in 1870? In 1920? 

5. What was the approximate railroad mileage in 1870? In 1920? 

6. What was the estimated real value of all the property in Missouri in 
1870? In 1912? In 1920? 

7. How does the State attempt to do, or supervise, the work of society? 

8. Why^ has the State been handicapped in doing this work? 

9. Name the leading State institutions established during the period. 

10. Give a brief summary of the progress of Missouri during the period. 



CHAPTER II 
POLITICAL ANNALS 1870-1920 

The Two Phases of the Period. The Democratic party, 
which practically came into control of the State with the 
election of Brown in 1870, continued in power until 1904. 
Only once did that party fail to carry the State, and this was 
at the election of 1894, when the only officers elected were a 
judge of the supreme court and the superintendent of public 
schools. From 1904 to 1920 Missouri was a doubtful State 
politically. There developed a large independent vote 
which no party can control. The Liberal-Democratic major- 
ity in 1870 was more than 40,000. This majority gradually 
decreased until it was wiped out at the election of 1904, 
when the Republicans elected their entire ticket except the 
candidate for governor. 

Since 1904 state officials have usually been elected by a 
plurality instead of a majority. 

Reconstruction Problems 1870-1876. B. Gratz Brown 
was elected governor in 1870 by Liberal-Republican and 
Democratic voters upon the issues of reconstruction. Six 
constitutional amendments had been adopted at the election 
of 1870. These removed the restrictions on the suffrage and 
also the other clauses which discriminated against those 
who had sympathized with the South. Governor Brown in 
his message to the legislature recommended changing the 
registration laws so they would conform to the amendments 
which abolished the test oaths. He also recommended 

168 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1870-1920 169 

better railroad regulation, and the immediate calling of a 
constitutional convention. The legislature amended the 
registration laws, but refused to submit to the people the 
proposal for a new constitution. 

The success of the Liberal Republican-Democratic com- 
bination in Missouri attracted the attention of the entire 
nation. A convention of Liberal-Republicans was held 
January 24, 1872 at Jefferson City. The resolutions invited 
all Republicans who favored a general amnesty to meet in 
national convention at Cincinnati the first Wednesday in 
May. This was the origin of the movement which brought 
into existence the National Liberal-Republican party. 

Governor Woodson. The Liberal Republicans and the 
Democrats called their state conventions for the same day, 
August 21, at Jefferson City. The two conventions through 
committees agreed upon a division of the State offices, and 
nominated a fusion ticket. The Democrats got the better 
of the bargain. Silas Woodson,^ a Democrat who had taken 
no part in the war, was nominated for governor. The entire 
ticket was elected by a majority of nearly 40,000. Governor 
Woodson's administration was conservative. He was con- 
cerned with the problems of paying off or refunding the state 
debt. 

1 Silas Woodson was born in Kentucky in 1817. He was admitted to 
the bar when twenty-one, was elected circuit attorney, and came into 
prominence by winning a famous case when pitted against the best legal 
talent of the State. In Kentucky, Woodson was a Clay Whig, but he 
became a Democrat when he came to Missouri in 1854. He took no active 
part in the war, but was active in reorganizing the Democratic party after 
the war. The fact that he had no war record made him an excellent com- 
promise candidate for governor. After his term as governor he was 
circuit judge for years. He died in 1896. 



I70 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The election of United States senator attracted consider- 
able attention. General Frank P. Blair had been elected 
two years before to serve during the unexpired term of Chas. 
D. Drake, who had resigned. Blair had been very active in 
the reorganization of the Democratic party after the war, 
and had risked his life many times in his work for the party. 
It would seem that the party should have re-elected him to 
the Senate. But Blair was too positive for the times. The 
party selected Boggy, a man who had taken no part in the 
war. 

The Liberal-Republican party passed out of existence 
after the election of 1872. Some of its members returned to 
the Republican party, but the great majority of them joined 
the Democratic party. 

The Democratic Party in 1874. The Democratic party 
was now composed of a number of groups of people who 
differed widely in their past political views. First there were 
Union Democrats, who had been loyal through the war. 
These were composed of two distinct groups, those who had 
been Whigs and those who had before the war been Benton- 
Democrats. Second, was the ex-Confederates and those 
who sympathized with them during the war. These men 
all became Democrats as soon as they were allowed to vote. 
This group was a large and influential group and frequently 
controlled the party councils. 

Finally, there were those who having been Republicans 
during the war, had left the party in 1870 as Liberal Repub- 
licans, and had finally joined the Democratic party in 1874. 
This later group was not influential in the party council. 
With all these various groups in the party It was impossible 
to nominate a positive man who had stood as a leader in any 
of these groups. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 870-1920 171 

Governor Hardin. In 1874 the ex-Confederate group 
made a determined effort to nominate one of their number, 
F. M. Coclcrell, who had been a brigadier general in the 
Confederate army, but failed. Charles H. Hardin- was 
nominated by one-sixth of a vote in the convention and was 
elected by a majority of more than 37,000. Governor 
Hardin made every effort possible to heal the factional 
troubles which the State had inherited from the Civil War. 

The country was just beginning to recover from the 
effects of the panic of 1873 when the State suffered from an 
invasion of grasshoppers from the west. They came first in 
the late summer of 1874. ^^^^ the next spring they hatched 
out in great numbers and destroyed every particle of green 
vegetation they could reach. In a number of the western 
counties of the State the crops were entirely destroyed.^ 

It was during Governor Hardin's administration that the 
present constitution, which is discussed in a subsequent 
chapter, was adopted. 

2 Charles H. Hardin was born in Kentucky in 1820. His father 
moved to Columbia, Missouri where the boy grew to manhood. His 
mother was Hannah Jewell, a sister of Dr. William Jewell, the founder 
of William Jewell College. He began the practice of law at Fulton in 
1843. Later he entered politics as a Whig. He served in the State 
legislature as a representative from Calloway County. In i860 he was 
in the State senate. During the Civil War he retired to his farm and 
took no part in the conflict. After the war he joined the Democratic 
party as many of the old Whigs did. 

Hardin was nominated for governor in 1874 by the small majority of 
one-sixth of a vote. After his term as governor he retired to private life. 
He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and gave ^75,000 
for founding a Girls' Baptist College at Mexico. The school was called 
Hardin College in honor of the donor. He died in 1892. 

^ A notable incident connected with the grasshopper year was a 
grasshopper banquet held at the Warrensburg Normal School. Some 
one suggested that as the grasshoppers had eaten every thing in the way 



172 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The Rule of the Civil War Veterans, 1876-1888. By the 
close of Hardin's administration in 1876 the problems of 
reconstruction had been solved in both sta.te and nation. 
The ex-Union and ex-Confederate soldiers had always 
respected each other; now they could find common grounds 
for agreement upon the new issues which arose. With these 
two groups in the Democratic party working in harmony, 
the day of the moderate man who had been inactive in the 
Civil War was passed. For the next decade or more the 
ex-soldier received the preference in politics. Both ex- 
Confederate and ex-Union soldiers were elected to the 
highest offices within the gift of the people. Senator F. M. 
Cockrell, Senator George G. Vest and Governor John S. 
Marmaduke are notable examples of the former, and Gover- 
nor John S Phelps and Governor Thomas T. Crittenden 
represent the latter. 

The first of the soldier group to be elected was Francis 
M. Cockrell,^ who was elected to the senate to succeed Carl 
Schurz in 1875. Cockrell had been the closest competitor of 
Hardin for the nomination for governor in 1874. His hearty 
support of Hardin in the campaign made him the choice of 
the Democratic caucus for senator. The next Civil War 
veteran to receive high public office was an ex-Union soldier. 
General John S. Phelps. The Democrats in 1876 nominated 

of vegetation there was but one thing to do and that was to eat the 
grasshoppers. The banqviet was arranged to determine whether or not 
the grasshopper was edible. The grasshoppers were collected in sacks. 
Only the hams were used. As an experiment the results were evidently 
negative as there is no record of any further use of the grasshopper for 
food. 

^ Francis M. Cockrell was born in Johnson County, Missouri, October 
I, 1834. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools, and was 
graduated from Chapel Hill College in 1853. He was admitted to the bar 
in 1855 and began the practice of law in Warrensburg. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 870-1 920 173 

and elected General Phelps^governor. Many of the appoint- 
ees of Governor Phelps were ex-Confederates. The old 
Whig element in the party, who had been for the Union but 
many of whom had taken no part in the war, seems to have 
been neglected in the distribution of offices. Switzler, 
editor of "The Statesman," complains that nine-tenths of 
the best offices were conferred on the "Confederate crowd." 
In another editorial Switzler refers to those who object to 
the old Whig element in the Democratic party as "Ante- 
bellum, moss-covered Democrats." During Phelps* admin- 
istration another ex-Confederate, George G. Vest, who had 
taken a positive stand for secession and had been in the 
active service of the Confederacy throughout the war, was 
elected United States senator. The election of Vest was 

When the Civil War came Cockrell cast his lot with the South. He 
rose to the rank of Brigadier General. After the war he was one of the 
first of the Confederate leaders to declare his allegiance to the United 
States Government and ask for a pardon. 

In 1874 he was elected to the United States Senate where he served 
thirty years. The Republicans carried the state in 1904 and Cockrell 
was retired. He was immediately appointed a member of the Panama 
Canal Commission by President Roosevelt. He served on this commission 
until his death. 

^John S. Phelps was born in Connecticut in 1814, and came to 
Springfield, Missouri in 1837. He was admitted to the bar in Missouri, 
and in 1840 was elected to the State legislature. In 1844 he was elected 
to Congress as a Democrat and served continuously for eighteen years. 
When the Civil War came, Phelps who sided definitely with the Union, 
was one of Blair's most able assistants in keeping Missouri in the Union. 
He raised a regiment which he commanded in the battle of Pea Ridge 
where he lost nearly one-third of his men. After the Civil War he was 
active in politics. He ran for ofiice a number of times during the recon- 
struction period but was always defeated. He was nominated and elected 
governor in 1876. Like Cockrell, Phelps was a positive man who had 
fought for his convictions during the Civil War. He died in St. Louis 
in 1886. 



174 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

interpreted to mean that the old Whig element in the Demo- 
cratic party should not prevail. 

The currency issue was prominent in the campaign of 
1878. The Democratic platform demanded the abolition of 
the national banking system and the issue of greenbacks in 
sufficient quantities for the needs of the country. It also 
demanded the removal of the restrictions on the coinage of 
silver. 

The country recovered rapidly from the effects of the 
panic of 1873 ^^^ ^^^ grasshopper years during Governor 
Phelps' administration. Substantial increases were made in 
the financial support given to the public schools, the normal 
schools, and the State University. Railroad construction 
which had ceased after the panic of 1873 was resumed, and 
867 miles were built between 1876 and 1880. 

However, serious strikes occurred at St. Louis. More 
than 3,000 men were under arms at one time guarding 
against the destruction of property. But quiet was restored 
without bloodshed. 

Governor Crittenden. Another ex-Union soldier, Thomas 
T. Crittenden,^ was nominated and elected governor by 
the Democratic party in 1880. 

The state offices were distributed between ex-Union and 
ex-Confederate soldiers. There were five of the former and 
three of the latter. There was but one official elected who 

^ Thomas T. Crittenden was born in Kentucky in 1832. He was grad- 
uated from college in 1855 and soon after moved to Lexington, Missouri. 
He entered the Union army as lieutenant colonel of the 7th Missouri 
Cavalry and served until his regiment was mustered out in 1865. Soon 
after leaving the army he moved to Warrensburg where he practiced law 
as the partner of F. M. Cockrell. He was elected to Congress in 1872. 
He served as governor from 1880 to 1884. He died in Kansas City in 1909. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1870-1920 175 

had no war record. The State was prosperous during Crit- 
tenden's administration. The State debt was rapidly re- 
duced. The Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad finally paid 
their ^3,000,000 debt with interest. Railroad building was 
going forward rapidly. The railroads issued passes freely 
and extended numerous courtesies to influential men.'^ 
The railroad companies undoubtedly expected to receive 
service in the way of favorable legislation or in the preven- 
tion of unfavorable legislation. 

John S. Marmaduke. In the election of 1884 the Demo- 
cratic ticket carried the names of three ex-Confederate 
soldiers and two ex-Union men. The candidate for governor, 
John S. Marmaduke,^ was an ex-Confederate brigadier 
general and the last veteran of the Civil War to become 
governor. A law forbidding pooling on the part of railroads, 

^ For example, the railroad companies took the members of the State 
Press Association for an excursion through the Gulf States. One party 
consisting of 157 persons left Springfield upon the adjournment of the 
Association, went by rail to St. Louis, then by steamer to New Orleans, 
and from that city made short excursions by rail to places of Interest. 
They returned in a body to St. Louis and then went to their homes. The 
trip took about a week. All expenses including hotel bills were borne by 
the railroad company. Just before starting on the excursion described 
above, the Press Association voted to have a "called session" six months 
later for the purpose of accepting the courtesies of the Toledo and Wabash 
Railroad for an excursion to Put-in-Bay, Wisconsin. 

^ John S. Marmaduke, the son of Governor M. M. Marmaduke, was 
born in Saline County, Missouri in 1833. He studied in Yale, but entered 
West Point in 1853 and was graduated in 1857. He was assigned to duty 
as a second lieutenant under Colonel Albert Sydney Johnson and served 
in the campaign against the Mormons. At the outbreak of the Civil War 
he resigned from the United States army against the advice of his father, 
and entered the service of the Confederacy. After the war he became a 
commission merchant in St. Louis. In 1884 he was elected governor and 
served but three years. He died in office in 1887. 



176 ^ HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

and regulating their traffic was passed during Marmaduke's 
administration. The legislature of 1887 passed a law known 
as "the local option law." Under this law a large part of 
Missouri became dry territory during the last twenty years. 

The Rule of the Young Democracy 1888-1904. With the 
administration of Marmaduke the rule of the war veterans 
ceased. For a quarter of a century men had been elected to 
office or rejected because of the position they took upon the 
public issues in the early sixties. From 1863 to 1870 the 
Radicals were in power, and no one who was not a radical 
Union man could be elected to public office. From 1870 
to 1876 the best candidate was the man who had taken no 
part in the war. From 1876 to 1888 few men were chosen 
to public office who did not have a creditable war record in 
either the northern or southern army. From 1888 to 1904 
the Democratic party still held undisputed possession of the 
State, but a younger generation of men who had grown to 
manhood after the Civil War, became the leaders in the 
party, and the rulers of the state. 

Governor Francis. The first of these was David R. 
Francis,^ who was nominated and elected governor by the 

^ David Rowland Francis was born in Virginia in 1850. He was 
descended on his mother's side from the Scotch family, Irvine, who were 
among the leading followers of Robert Bruce in his famous wars with 
England. He came to Missouri and entered Washington University in 
1866, was graduated in 1870 and immediately entered business. When 
he finished college he was in debt in part for his education, but he was very 
successful in business and became wealthy. In 1885 Francis was elected 
mayor of St. Louis on the Democratic ticket, although the Republican 
party had a normal majority of 14,000. He was very successful in con- 
ducting the business of the city and was nominated and elected governor 
in 1888. In 1896 he was appointed secretary of interior by President 
Cleveland. He took a leading part in pushing the Louisiana Purchase 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 870-1920 177 

Democratic party in 1888. Mr. Francis was a successful 
business man and successfully applied business methods to 
the management of the State government. It was through 
his efforts that the Governor's Mansion was refurnished 
and made worthy of the State. A law was passed creating a 
school-book commission and providing for state-wide uni- 
formity in text-books. Through the recommendation and 
personal arguments of Governor Francis the first Australian 
ballot law was placed upon the Statute Books of Missouri. 
During Governor Francis' administration a great many 
farmers of the State joined an organization known as the 
"Farmers' Alliance." The farmers were beginning to get 
restless and urge reforms. This movement took the form 
of a new party during the next administration. 

Governor Stone. In 1872 the Democratic party nom- 
inated and elected William Joel Stone-^*' governor. 

In the Free Silver Movement Missouri again took the 
lead in an issue of national importance. A Missouri Con- 
gressman, Richard P. Bland, of Lebanon, Missouri, pushed 
a free silver bill through the House of Representatives in 

Centennial in 1903 and in 1904 he served as president of the fair and more 
than any other one person was responsible for its success. Probably the 
greatest service of Mr. Francis to his country was the service he rendered 
as ambassador to Russia during the great war. Mr. Francis is still 
(1920) living and is one of Missouri's most highly respected citizens. 

10 William Joel Stone was born in Kentucky in 1848. He studied for a 
time at the University of Missouri and read law in the office of his brother- 
in-law. Col. Taylor. He was admitted to the bar and practiced first at 
Bedford, Indiana. In 1870 he returned to Missouri and established a law 
office at Nevada, served two years as prosecuting attorney of Vernon 
County, served in Congress from 1884 to 1890, and was governor from 
1892 to 1896. He then practiced law in St. Louis until he was elected to 
the senate to succeed Senator Vest in 1903. 



1 78 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

1878. The measure was amended in the senate so as to de- 
stroy to a large extent the purpose of the act. Bland con- 
tinued to advocate free silver. In 1893 the whole country 
experienced a severe financial panic. The general depression 
caused a great deal of political restlessness. Under these 
conditions people looked to the political leaders for relief 
through legislative measures. Bland's remedy was free 
silver. Under his leadership a reorganization of the Demo- 
cratic state committee was effected in 1895. The Demo- 
cratic state convention was called early in 1896 and proposed 
free silver as the one great issue upon which the campaign 
should be fought. Bland became Missouri's candidate for 
the nomination for president. The other states of the South 
and West followed the leadership of Missouri, and before the 
National Democratic Convention assembled in Chicago the 
party was committed to free silver. 

But again, as in 1872, a great national party accepted an 
issue presented by Missouri but refused to nominate Mis- 
souri's candidate. Instead of nominating Bland, the logical 
candidate on the issue of free silver, the convention nom- 
inated William J. Bryan. Missouri was loyal to the issue 
she had presented and gave Bryan a majority of nearly 
60,000, the largest majority ever given by the State to a 
presidential candidate 

Governor Stephens. The Democratic Party nominated 
Lon. V. Stephens in 1896. The Republicans had carried 
the election of 1894 by a small plurality. A new party 
known as the People's party had polled a very large vote. 
The platform of the People's party had advocated many 
reform measures, one of which was free silver. In 1896 the 
Democratic party in the State adopted the issue of free 



? 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1 870-1920 179 

silver and the People's party supported the Democratic 
ticket. Stephens^^ was elected by a plurality of 43,233 votes 
over Robert E. Lewis, his Republican opponent. The 
Spanish-American War was fought during Mr. Stephens' 
administration. The State responded to every call made 
upon it by the national government. When the protocol 
which ended the war was signed, military companies organ- 
ized in every part of the State were anxious to volunteer for 
service, should the United States make another call for men. 
The enthusiasm aroused during the Spanish-American War 
practically put an end to the antagonism created by the 
Civil War, much of which had continued up to that time. 
In this respect the war was probably of greater benefit to 
Missouri than to any other state. 

Governor Dockery. At the time of the campaign of 
1900 the issue of free silver had ceased to be important. 
The great political parties found issues in the questions 
growing out of the Spanish-American War. The more rest- 
less and dissatisfied divided into half a dozen small parties 
each advocating some specific reform. The Democratic 
party nominated and elected Alexander M. Dockery^- gover- 

^^ Lon V. Stephens was born at Boonville, Missouri in 1858, and 
received his college education in Washington and Lee University, Lexing- 
ton, Virginia. After graduation from college he entered his father's bank 
at Boonville. He followed the banking business until he was appointed 
state treasurer by Governor Francis in 1890, to fill the unexpired term of 
Treasurer Noland who had become a defaulter. Mr. Stephens was 
elected treasurer in 1892 for the four year term and was chosen governor 
in 1896. 

12 Alexander M. Dockery was born in Davies County, Missouri, 
February 11, 1845. ^^ studied medicine and practiced his profession for 
a time. In 1874 he became a banker. He was elected to Congress in 1882 
and served until 1899. He was governor from 1901 to 1905. After his 
term as governor expired he continued active in the Democratic party and 
is at present (1920) assistant Postmaster General. 



1 8o I ilSTORY OF MISSOURI 

nor. During Dockery's administration the World's Fair 
celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the Purchase of 
Louisiana was held in St. Louis. The effect of the Exposition 
upon Missouri can hardly be over-estimated. Thousands of 
her citizens attended for a week or more and there was 
probably no community in the State that did not have 
representatives there. The best of everything that civiliza- 
tion had produced was thus brought to the knowledge of 
Missourians. 

Missouri a Doubtful State 1904-1920. The election of 
1904 marks the beginning of a new phase of Missouri politics. 
From 1904 until 1920 there was no dominant man or group 
of men. Missouri had always been a solid Democratic state 
with the exception of the abnormal Civil War and recon- 
struction period. During the years 1904 to 1920 the State 
has been a doubtful state with a large number of indepen- 
dent voters. Neither party has been able to dominate the 
State, nor has any man or group of men been able to control 
either party continually. 

Governor Folk. The Democratic party nominated 
Joseph W. Folk^^ in 1904. Folk had made himself popular 

^^ Joseph W. Folk was born in Tennessee, October 28, 1869; studied 
law at Vanderbilt University and was admitted to the bar in 1890; 
practiced law two years in Tennessee and then moved to St. Louis in 
1892. He began the practice of civil and corporation law, but took an 
active part in politics and soon became prominent in the councils of 
the Democratic party. In 1900 the Democrats of St. Louis nominated 
Folk for city attorney, on a reform platform and elected him. This office 
gave him the opportunity to prosecute the bribe-takers of the city assem- 
bly. He was elected governor in 1904. He was the youngest governor 
ever elected in Missouri. Mr. Folk has run for office twice since he was 
governor and has been defeated both times. 



POLITICAL ANNALS 1870-1920 181 

by prosecuting a number of St. Louis assembly men for 
bribery. There was a bitter fight regarding him within the 
Democratic party, but he was elected by a plurality of 
30,100 votes. 

Yet in the same election the Republican vote for Roose- 
velt exceeded the Democratic vote for Parker by 25,187. 
The Republicans elected the other six State officers. In 
1906 the State went Democratic by pluralities varying from 
8,600 for Howard A. Gass, Superintendent of Schools, to 
14,667 for Rube Oglesby, Railroad and Warehouse Com- 
missioner. 

Governor Hadley. In the election of 1908 the Republi- 
cans nominated Herbert S. Hadley, and the Democrats, 
WilliamS. Cowherd. Hadley^'^ was elected by a plurality of 
15,879 votes, in a total vote of 715,827. The other State 
offices were divided between the two parties. In the election 
of 1910 the Republican state ticket was elected by pluralities 
ranging from 2,240 to 5,429. Governor Hadley's administra- 
tion was somewhat handicapped by the fact that the legisla- 
tive branch of the government was Democratic. On any 
measure which was in the least political the legislature was 
not likely to follow the governor's recommendations. 

" Herbert S. Hadley was born in Olathe, Kansas, February 20, 1872. 
He was educated in Kansas University, Northwestern University, and 
Chicago Law School. In 1894 he moved to Kansas City to practice law. 
He was elected prosecuting attorney of Jackson County in 1900, and 
attorney general of the state in 1904. As attorney general he attracted 
the attention of the nation by his successful prosecution of the Standard 
Oil Company. He was the unanimous choice of his party as candidate for 
governor in 1908. He was elected. After his term as governor he again 
took up the practice of law. 



1 8a HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Governor Major. The Republican party split into two 
factions in 191 2. These factions both nominated complete 
state tickets and the Democrats easily elected their entire 
state ticket by pluralities ranging around 120,000. Wilson's 
plurality over Taft was 124,371 but the combined vote for 
Taft and Roosevelt exceeded that of Wilson by 1,446. 

The Democrats nominated and elected Elliot W. Major^^ 
governor. During Governor Major's administration the 
legislature was so overwhelmingly Democratic that he had no 
trouble in getting his recommendations carried out. The 
outstanding feature of his administration is the progressive 
school legislation that was passed. 

Governor Gardner. In 1916 the Democrats nominated 
Frederick D. Gardner.^^ He was elected over Judge Lamb, 
his Republican opponent, by a plurality of 2,263. Hackman, 
the Republican candidate for state auditor, was elected by 
a plurality of 9,080 votes. The other Democratic candidates 
for the State offices were elected. The outstanding feature 

^^ Elliot W. Major was born in Lincoln County, Missouri; studied 
law in the office of Champ Clark, one of Missouri's most distinguished 
representatives in Congress. Mr. Major began the practice of law at 
Bowling Green, Missouri. He was a candidate for attorney general in 
1904, but was defeated by Hadley. He was elected to that office in 1908, 
and elected governor in 191 2.. After retiring from the governor's office 
in 1 91 6, he moved to St. Louis and resumed the practice of law. 

^^ Frederick D. Gardner was born in Kentucky, November 6, 1869. 
He came to St. Louis in 1886 at the age of seventeen and found employ- 
ment in business. He soon engaged in business for himself, and was very 
successful. He became interested in the farmer. The fact that the 
farmer with land, the best security in existence, was compelled to pay 
interest rates higher than the business men of the cities seemed unfair. 
He proposed a Farmer's Land Bank. This attracted such attention 
that Mr. Gardner was nominated and elected Governor although he had 
never held office before. 



POLITICAL ANNALS i Syc^i 920 1 83 

of Governor Gardner's administration is the financial legisla- 
tion enacted. Governor Gardner found the State in debt 
nearly $2,000,000. He recommended a number of new 
revenue measures, most of which were passed by the legisla- 
ture. The State is now (1920) out of debt, except such debts 
as are provided for in connection with the building of the 
new capitol, and there is a surplus of money in the treasury. 
Missouri's part in the great war will be discussed In a sep- 
arate chapter. 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER H 

1. What was the political situation in Missouri from 1870 to 1904? From 
1904 to 1920? 

2. Upon what issues was Brown elected governor in 1870? 

3. What recommendations did Brown make in his message? 

4. How was the National Liberal-Republican party started? 

5. What did the Liberal-Republicans in Missouri do in 1872? 

6. Give a sketch of the life of Governor Woodson. What was his war 
record? 

7. Why was Frank Blair not re-elected to the Senate in 1873? Who was 
elected? How did his war record compare with that of Blair? 

8. What became of the Liberal-Republican party after 1872? 

9. Of what groups was the Democratic party composed in 1874? 

10. What two groups controlled the Democratic party from 1876 to 1888? 

11. Who was the first ex- war veteran to receive an important oflice? 

12. What was the war record of Governor Phelps? 

13. What complaint was made concerning his appointments? By whom? 
Why? 

14. What was the prominent issue in the campaign of 1878? 

15. How many miles of railroad were bxult during Governor Phelps' 
administration? 

16. What kind of men made up the ticket in 1880? What was the war 
record of the candidate for governor? 

17. How did the railroads attempt to influence the action of the State 
government diuing the later seventies and eighties? 

18. What was Governor Marmaduke's war record? How many ex- 
soldiers were on the ticket in 1884? 



1 84 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

19. What class of men managed the affairs of the State after 1888? 

20. Give a sketch of the life of John S. Phelps, Thomas T. Crittenden and 
John S. Marmaduke. 

21. Name some things accomplished during the administration of Gover- 
nor Francis. 

22. How did Missouri take the lead in a national question during the 
administration of Governor Stone? 

23. What was Bryan's majority in Missouri in 1896? 

24. How did Missouri respond to the needs of the government during the 
Spanish-American War? 

25. How did the war affect Missouri? 

26. What new issues were there in the campaign of 1900? 

27. What was the big event of Governor Dockery's administration? How 
did it affect Missouri? 

28. Give a sketch of the life of David R. Francis, William Joel Stone, Lon 
V. Stephens, and Alexander M. Dockery. 

29. What noticeable political change took place in Missouri about 1904? 

30. What party was successful in the election of 1904? 1906? 1910? 

31. What per cent was Taft's plurality of the total vote cast in 1908? 

32. Why were the Democratic candidates elected by such large pluraUties 
in 1912? 

33. What was the outstanding feature of Governor Major's administra- 
tion? 

34. What has been the chief accomplishment of Governor Gardner's ad- 
ministration? 

35. Give a sketch of the life of Joseph W. Folk, Herbert S. Hadley, 
Elliot W. Major, and Frederick D. Gardner. 



CHAPTER III 
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1875-1920 

The Resolution Calling a Convention. Although the 
most objectionable features of the Drake Constitution had 
been removed by the six amendments that had been adopted 
in 1870, the very name was distasteful to the Democratic 
party, which came into full control of the State government 
in 1872. 

The legislature of 1874 submitted to a vote of the people 
a resolution calling a constitutional convention The resolu- 
tion was submitted at the general election in November, 
1874. The people cast 130,977 votes in favor of calling a 
convention and 130,694 votes against the proposition. Thus 
the majority for the convention was only 283,of atotal vote 
of 261,670. 

The Delegates. Governor Hardin called an election for 
January 26 to choose delegates to the convention. The reso- 
lution provided for sixty-eight delegates. The Democrats 
secured sixty, the Republicans six, and the Liberals two. 
The Democratic majority was so large that it had no diffi- 
culty in controlling every act of the convention. 

Many of the men who sat in the convention has been 
disfranchised by the "Drake Constitution." Possibly they 
or their friends had been prevented from teaching, preaching 
or practicing law. It is possible that some of them had been 

185 



1 86 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

brought before one of the many district courts and thrown 
into jail for violating the law by practicing their profession. 
Most of the delegates had been active in politics before the 
Civil War under the constitution of 1820. They naturally 
base.d their work on that constitution. Many sections are 
exact copies of sections of the constitution of 1820. 

Background of Our Constitution. In order to under- 
stand our constitution it is necessary to understand the 
conditions under which the men who wrote it had been 
living. There were two important movements of the decade 
immediately preceding 1875 which very greatly influenced 
the members of the constitutional convention. The first 
was the radical movement in politics. The Radicals had 
prohibited every one who had served the Confederate cause 
or sympathized with it from voting, or practicing any profes- 
sion. In order to enforce these laws they had created a large 
number of courts and given them very great powers. 

The courts had used the powers given them by the Radi- 
cal legislature to the great disadvantage of that element of 
the population which controlled the convention. 

The second movement was that of railroad building. 
Soon after the war there came a great boom in railroad 
building. Every community wanted a railroad. Counties, 
cities and townships were willing to bond themselves to 
secure a railroad. Under the "Drake Constitution" the 
city councils, and county courts in the cities and counties 
had very great power. These bodies aided the railroads in 
legalizing bond issues. At first they were undoubtedly 
doing what a large majority of the people wished them to do. 
But many fraudulent companies were organized. Bonds 
were procured and the roads were never built. The people 



THE CONSTITUTION OF 1 875-1 920 187 

were defrauded in that way to the extent of millions of 
dollars. A number of these frauds had been exposed just a 
year or two before the meeting of the convention. The 
people were very bitterly opposed just at that time to issu- 
ing bonds. The bond^ was considered bad because it had 
been the instrument used in stealing the people's money. 
These two things, the abuses of the courts and the fraudu- 
lent use of bonds, greatly influenced the action of the consti- 
tutional convention. 

The Limitations on the Courts. The ''bill of rights" in 
the constitution is very long. It safeguards the individual 
to such an extent that it becomes a very great limitation on 
the courts. The article on the judiciary is also very exten- 
sive. So many safeguards are thrown about a person 
accused of a crime that it has become difficult for our courts 
to convict any one. Especially is this true if the accused 
person is able to employ legal talent sufficient to obtain the 
full advantage of all these limitations. 

^ The bond is simply a note of a corporation made for the purpose of 
raising money to do some important work. Usually the work is some 
kind of a permanent improvement. There is no instrument that has done 
more to make possible human progress in the great material improve- 
ments than the bond. Any great co-operative work like building roads, 
schools, great railroad systems, etc., would be impossible without the 
bond. Bonds are a great benefit to any people provided the object for 
which they are to be issued is a worthy one and will benefit the community 
or group issuing them, and second, provided the money raised by issuing 
the bonds be honestly expended for the purpose for which they were 
issued. It was the second condition that was violated in the case of the 
railroad bonds issued in the reconstruction period of Missouri. The 
money was not honestly expended for the purpose for which the bonds 
were issued. Because of that, the people of Missouri became prejudiced 
against bonds and at the present time they rarely vote bonds. This prej- 
udice against bonds has been a great handicap upon the material progress 
of the State. 



1 88 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The effect of these limitations has become very evident 
in the slow procedure of our courts, and in the way our 
supreme court gets behind with its work in spite of the fact 
that the number of judges and the number of courts of appeal 
have been increased. 

Limitation on the Legislature. The men who wrote the 
constitution seemed to have little faith in representative 
legislatures. They limited the sessions to seventy days in 
each two year period. They took away entirely the power 
given by both of Missouri's previous constitutions to estab- 
lish courts. They prohibited the legislature from imposing 
a debt of more than $250,000 in any one year. 

The amount of taxes which the legislature might impose 
was also carefully limited. Not more than twenty cents on 
the hundred dollars valuation was allowed, and after the 
valuation of the State reached $900,000,000 not more than 
fifteen cents on the hundred dollars valuation could be 
levied. The valuation passed the $900,000,000 mark in 
1892. 

Rate of Taxation. The rate of taxation had been exces- 
sively high during the reconstruction period. The rate of 
State taxation had reached more than sixty cents on the 
hundred dollars valuation and the rate had frequently been 
very high in counties, townships, cities, and school districts. 
These high taxes had been exceedingly oppressive to the aris- 
tocratic class who had owned slaves and large tracts of land. 
They had lost their slaves during the war and many of them 
lost their land or much of it after the war because they could 
not pay the high taxes. It was this aristocratic class that was 
now in control of the constitutional convention. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF 1 875-1 920 189 

They wrote into the constitution some very drastic 
limitations on taxation. They limited the amount of taxes 
that might be levied by a county court, a city council, or a 
board of education in a school district. They did not even 
trust the people in matters of taxation. A limit for school 
purposes of sixty-five cents on the hundred dollars valua- 
tion in rural districts and one hundred cents on the hundred 
dollars valuation in city districts was provided. People 
cannot even by a unanimous vote legally tax themselves 
beyond these limits. On all questions of taxation a property 
qualification is attached to the qualifications of a voter. He 
must be a tax payer. 

The Bond. The bond as a means of raising money had 
been discredited because of the fraudulent railroad bonds. 
The writers of the constitution provided that school dis- 
tricts, cities, counties and the State might issue bonds. But 
two-thirds of the voters at any election on a bond issue must 
favor the bonds before they can be issued. Even by a two- 
thirds vote" the amount of bonds that can be issued is 
limited to a certain percent of the assessed value of the 
property. All persons voting at an election on a bond issue 
must be taxpayers. 

^The fundamental principle of democracy is "majority rule." If 
democracy means anything, it means this. But the authors of our con- 
stitution forgot their democracy in their eagerness to prevent for all future 
time svich frauds as had been practiced upon the people through their 
county courts under the previous constitution. This provision has caused 
much embarrassment to school districts in recent years. The legislature 
has enacted a law whereby a consolidated school district may be formed 
by a majority vote. Many such districts have been formed, but in some 
cases when attempts have been made to vote bonds to build school- 
houses, they have failed to get the necessary two-thirds. In such cases 
the district continues to exist but cannot build a school-house. 



I90 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The Constitution. The constitution as a whole suited 
the age in which it was written. Missouri at that time was a 
rural state. There were few cities in the State. There were 
no electric lights, no electric street cars, no telephones, no 
automobiles. None of these things had ever been heard of. 
There were few high schools. Practically all secondary 
education was done in private schools. There was no need 
of the public's raising money for high schools, for good roads 
for automobiles, for municipal light plants, or for many 
other objects that can now be done best by the co-operative 
effort of all the people through some governmental unit such 
as the city or school district. The limits set for taxation 
and bond issues did not, at the time of the adoption of the 
constitution, handicap the citizens of the State because they 
did not need to do the things that the present generation 
needs to do. But under modern conditions of life, many of 
the limitations in the constitution have become handicaps 
to the progress of the State. The limitations on taxation and 
bond issues have become more noticeable because the ratio 
of the assessed value of property to the real value has con- 
tinually decreased; although values have increased, there 
has been a tendency to allow assessed values to remain 
stationary, or nearly so. In 1870 the assessed value was 
about one-half of the real value as estimated by the United 
States government. The ratio at the present time (1920) 
is about one-sixth. 

Amendments. As the State has become modern, many 
efforts have been made to amend the constitution so that it 
would better suit modern conditions. It was nine yeaj-s 
after the constitution was adopted before the first amend- 
ment was added, and only three amendments had been 



THE CONSTITUTION OF 1875-1920 191 

adopted up to 1900. But the general social and industrial 
changes which took place about 1900 caused many efforts 
to be made to amend the constitution. Eighty-five amend- 
ments have been submitted (before 1920), and twenty- 
three of them have been adopted. 

Conclusion. The constitution as originally written was 
a long document. It contained about 25,000 words. The 
twenty-three amendments that have been added make the 
document so long that it is not usually published in our 
text books. Few of our citizens have ever seen a copy of it 
and fewer still could get a copy without making considerable 
effort. 

A large element of our population is working for a new 
constitution. Many co-operative voluntary organizations 
are urging the legislature to submit a resolution calling a 
constitutional convention. Both the Democratic and Re- 
publican platforms have endorsed the movement. On the 
other hand there is a conservative element in the State that 
opposes change. 



QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER m 

1. Why was there a demand for a new constitution in 1874? 

2. What was the vote on calhng a constitutional convention? 

3. How many delegates were there in the convention? How many 
belonged to the Democratic party? 

4. What two movements of the previous decade influenced the conven- 
tion? 

5. How were the courts limited? What was the effect? 

6. How was the legislature limited? 

7. How are the people themselves limited so far as taxation is concerned? 

8. What is a bond? What is the difference between a note and a bond? 
How are bonds useful? 

9. What precaution should be taken when the public uses the bond? 



192 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

10. What vote is required to legalize any bond issue? 

11. Name some of the ways in which the Missouri of 1875 differed from 
Missouri of to-day. 

12. How long is the constitution? 

13. How many amendments have been proposed? How many adopted? 



CHAPTER IV 
CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE 

Co-operation. Man has been called a social animal. 
No person can live without the aid of other persons. Even 
savages help one another. Civilization has developed 
through the co-operation of people in doing the work that 
was considered necessary or best to do. At first people 
learned to work together in the family group. But it was 
found that certain things could be done better by a larger 
group. Families who were related naturally did these 
things working together, and the tribe came into existence. 
Some people, like the Indians, still hold to tribal organiza- 
tion based upon blood relationship. But it was found that 
unrelated people living close together could work together 
advantageously doing many things. 

People moved to some place that was well suited for 
doing a special kind of work,^ and cities came into existence. 
People later learned that some kinds of work like defense 
against enemies, keeping order, and punishing evil doers 
could best be done by larger units than cities, and states 
came into existence. The State as an organization extends 
over large areas of territory and includes many cities within 
its boundaries. 

^ At first the co-operative work that caused a city to be formed was 
the work of defense against an enemy. For this reason people usually 
moved to a hill. They later gathered in places where such co-operative 
work as commerce or manufacturing could best be carried on. 

193 



194 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

One hundred years ago when Missouri became a state, 
the work which a state usually did was limited. Provision 
was made for the ownership and protection of private prop- 
erty, for keeping order, and for punishing crime. Permission 
was granted to groups of citizens to oijjganize to do certain 
kinds of work- and provision was made to raise revenue to 
pay officers. 

State Institutions. When a state undertakes to do a 
special kind of work, it frequently creates an institution to 
do that work. For example, there are criminals who are a 
menace to society, and yet their crimes are not serious 
enough to justify the state in putting them to death. The 
state has built a place to keep these dangerous characters. 
This place is a state institution. We call it the penitentiary. 
Before the beginning of our period, 1870, the State had 
created but five state institutions. They were as follows: 
The Penitentiary, 1833; the State University, 1839; the 
State Hospital No. i for the Insane, 1847; School for the 
Deaf, 1 851; School for the Blind, 1851. The State Univer- 
sity did not receive state appropriations until a few years 
before 1870. One of the leading characteristics of the period 
1870 to 1920 is the fact that the State has undertaken to do 
much of the work that we can all do working together better 
than can any smaller group or any individual. 

In order to do this co-operative work the State has 
created a number of institutions and has increased the sup- 
port of those it had created before 1870. There are now 
twenty-one of these institutions. Sixteen of them have been 
created since 1870. These State institutions may be classi- 
fied as educational, eleemosynary, ajid penal. 

^ This permission is called a charter, and the organization receiving a 
charter is called a corporation. 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE 195 

Educational Institutions. About the time Missouri began 
to recover from the effects of the Civil War the people began 
to realize more than ever before the importance of education 
in a democratic state. The State had organized an ele- 
mentary school system in 1835, ^^^ ^Y '^^7'^ about one-half 
of the children of school age were enrolled in the public 
schools. 

The people began to see that if we were to have good 
schools, we must train teachers, and that all the people 
working together through their State government could 
train teachers and provide higher education of other kinds 
cheaper and better than private individuals or groups of 
private individuals could do it. 

The State legislature began to appropriate money for the 
support of the State University in 1867.^ A department for 
training teachers, now called the School of Education, was 
opened in 1868. Other schools have been added until the 
University now consists of ten colleges and schools. One 
of the colleges of the University, the School of Mines and 
Metallurgy, was created in 1870 and located at Rolla, Mis- 
souri. 

The first normal school was created in 1870. Since that 
time four other normal schools have been created. The 
legislature changed the names of these institutions from 
normal schools to teachers' colleges in 191 9 and authorized 
them to grant degrees upon the completion of a full four 
year college course. These teachers' colleges had a total 
enrollment of 7,522 students during the school year 1916- 
1917. The total number of students enrolled in all the teach- 

^The first appropriation was $10,000. 



196 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



ers* colleges from 1870 to 1918 is 144,771.^ The State also 
provides an institution known as Lincoln Institute for the 
training of colored teachers. 

The people of the State co-operating through their state 
government spend nearly 14,000,000 annually for library 
books, laboratory apparatus, general equipment and teach- 
ers' salaries in these institutions of higher learning. This 
does not include the work the State is doing in elementary 
and high school education. 

Eleemosynary Institutions. Even before 1870 the people 
of Missouri had recognized the duty of the State toward its 
its citizens who are unfortunate, i^ hospital for the insane 

^ The total enrollment and the enrollm Mit from 1907 to 1917 inclusive 
is as follows: 







Total enroll- 


Enrollment 






ment 


I 907-1 91 7 


N.E.M.S.T.C 


Kirksville 


41,800 


18,896 


C.M.S.T.C 

S.E.M.S.T.C 


1871-1917 
Warrensburg 

1871-1917 
Cape Girardeau 


51,120 
24,101 


24,463 

12,024 


N.W.M.S.T.C 

S.W.M.ST.C 


1873-1917 
Maryville 

I 906-1 91 7 
Springfield 

1906-1917 


8,523 
19,227 


7>7o3 
18,262 


Total 


144,771 
8,000 

152,771 


91,348 

4,917 
96,265 


Lincoln Institute. . . . 
Grand total 


. . . 1876-1917 
teachers enrolled 



Because the data is not accessible the above table does not include the 
enrollment of the School of Education of the University of Missouri. 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE 197 

had been established in 1847, and a school for the deaf and 
one for the blind had been founded in the early fifties. 

Between 1870 and 1920 three more hospitals for the 
insane, a sanatorium for the treatment of tuberculosis, a 
colony for the feeble minded, a Confederate soldiers' home, 
and a Federal soldiers' home have been established. Each 
of these institutions is doing valuable work in aiding and 
taking care of unfortunate citizens of the State. Much of 
this work could not be done, and none of it could be done so 
well, except by the co-operative efforts of the people of the 
State through these state institutions.^ 

Penal Institutions. The State has four penal institutions: 
the State Penitentiary at Jefferson City; the Reform School 
for Boys at Boonville; the Industrial Home for Girls at 
Chillicothe; and the Industrial Home for Negro Girls at 
Tipton. All of these institutions, except the penitentiary, 
have been established within the last period of Missouri 

^ These eleemosynary institutions are as follows: 

Inmates Total 

1918 Inmates 

State Hospital No. i — Fulton 1,3-8 1847-1918 12,107 

State Hospital No. 2 — St. Joseph. . 1,738 - 1874-1918 i'^,i63 

State Hospital No. 3 — Nevada. ... 1,312 1887-1918 8,-57 

State Hospital No. 4 — Farmington 769 1903-1918 -,8^:5 



Total Number of Patients 5, 147 35>38- 

Confederate Soldiers' Home, Hig- 

ginsville 298 1888-1918 900 

Federal Soldiers' Home, St. James. . 266 1897-19 18 '^yS'^3 

School for the Deaf, Fulton 282 1851-1918 2,357 

School for the Blind, St. Louis ... . 125 1851-1918 1,346 



Total number cared for by state 

1918 6,178 41,488 



198 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

history. These institutions have a double purpose. First, 
they furnish a place where dangerous and unruly persons 
may be kept. Second, it is the intention of the law that 
persons sent to these institutions shall be reformed if pos- 
sible. The second purpose is the more important for the 
institutions which keep boys and girls. All of the penal 
institutions do work that is very important to society, work 
which could hardly be done at all except through state 
institutions.^ 

State Boards and Commissions. In addition to the 
work done by the State through the State institutions a 
great deal of work is done by the State through boards and 
commissions. There are more than forty of these boards 
and commissions. They are of various kinds and do a 
great variety of work. 

They range all the way from boards like the State Board 
of Embalming, which has no appropriation, is not required 
to have regular meetings, and is dependent upon fees for all 
expenses, to such boards as the Public Service Commission, 
which received an appropriation of $266,200 for the biennial 
period of 191 7 and 191 8, and whose members receive 'a 
higher salary than the governor of the State. Only a few of 
the most important can be described. 

®The number of inmates in the penal institutions of the State from 
their founding to the present time is as follows: 

Penitentiary 1917 — 2,643 1833-1918 44,611 

Boys' Reform School 1918— 499 1889-1918 6,942 

Industrial Home for Girls. .1918 — 235 1889-1918 1,378 

Total for penal institutions 3,377 52,93^ 

The Industrial Home for Negro Girls was opened recently. One 
hundred and fourteen girls have been committed to the home. 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE 199 

Missouri State Board of Health. The State Board of 
Health was established in 1883. The law gave it advisory 
power, but no power to enforce health regulations. A law 
was passed in 1889 making it the duty of the State board 
to examine and license all practicing physicians. In 1901 
the Medical Practice Act was amended so that it required 
all applicants for license to show evidence of having had a 
four year college course in medicine, and to pass a written 
examination. This act also gave the Board of Health power 
to revoke a physician's license for unprofessional and dis- 
honorable conduct. From 1889 to 1920, 18,787 physicians 
have been registered. 

In 1909 a law was passed requiring all births and deaths 
in the State to be reported and registered with the State 
Board of Health. For the nine years the law has been in 
force there has been an average of 70,600 births and 43,500 
deaths annually. These reports are compiled and form per- 
manent records. They are of value as an index to public 
health work, for they show the births and deaths by race, 
sex, nationality and occupation of parents and of the 
deceased. They are of value in establishing age, citizenship, 
and legal claims for inheritance rights. '^^'^ 

In 1 91 9 additional laws were passed making it the duty 
of the State Board of Health to make and enforce rules for 
the prevention and control of communicable diseases. 
These rules supersede all local rules, except in cities where 
the population is 75,000 or more. The Department ot 
Health has since 1909 consisted of the Bureau of License, 
the Bureau of Vital Statistics and the Bureau of Labora- 

" Table showing births and deaths and excess of births over deaths for 
the years 1911-1919 inclusive follows. 



200 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



tories. The act of 1919 provides for bureaus of Communica- 
ble Diseases, Child Hygiene and Venereal Diseases. The 
act also provides for the appointment of a State health 



commissioner. 













Excess of 


Year 


Births 


Rate per 


Deaths 


Rate per 


births over 






1,000 




1,000 


deaths 


1911 


74,130 


22.5 


43,479 


13.2 


30,651 


191 2 


75^45^ 


22.91 


42,139 


12.7 


33,3^3 


^9K^ 


75>23i 


22.81 


42,130 


12.8 


33,101 


1914 


73,925 


22.44 


41,743 


12.6 


32,182 


191^ 


71.543 


21. 07 


40,863 


12.4 


30,680 


1916 


73,486 


22.31 


44,705 


13.6 


28,781 


1917 


67,041 


20.03 


45,564 


13.8 


21,447 


1918 


64,001 


19-43 


5^>9^S 


15.8 


12,076 


1919 


61,193 


18.05 


39,282 


II. 9 


21,911 



^ The following table shows the number of deaths each year from 
eight causes which have been most fatal to the people of the state. 



Cause 



Diseases of heart and 
circulatory system. 

Pneumonia 

Tuberculosis of lungs 

Diseases of the ner- 
vous system 

Cancer 

Accidents 

Diarrhoea — infants 
under 2 years of age 

Typhoid fever 

Influenza 



1911 



4,996 
4,401 
4,523 

3,304 

^977 
2,196 



2,095 

1,042 

674 



1912 



5,612 
4,980 
4,201 

3,005 
2,158 
2,426 

1,704 
780 
433 



^9^3 



4,070 
4,208 

,842 

2,279 

'■^3^3 

1,813 
845 
434 



I9I4 



4,380 
4,472 
4,326 

^,666 

2,229 

2,095 

1,912 
761 

254 



1915 



4,795 
4,865 

4,454 

3,913 
2,170 
1,909 

1,198 
481 
485 



1916 



5,2// 

5,614 
4,345 

4,015 

2,417 
2,320 

.525 

599 
826 



1917 



6,010 

6,779 
4,367 

4,1 

2,420 
2,042 

1,560 
622 
390 



1918 



5,680 
7,337 
4,145 

4,037 
2,302 

1,890 

1,099 

530 
9,677 



[919 



5,719 
4,271 

3,207 

3,821 

2,375 
1,491 

930 

375 
3,53^ 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE aoi 

Under the division of communicable diseases there has 
been appointed for each county a health officer, who is called 
a deputy state commissioner of health. It is his duty to 
receive and transmit to the State department reports of all 
cases of communicable diseases, to establish and release 
quarantine and to promote public health activity within his 
county. 

The division of Child Hygiene was organized in Decem- 
ber, 1919, through the assistance of the United States Public 
Health Service. Various statewide voluntary organizations 
have been co-operating with the State board. The work 
so far undertaken is field investigation to insure birth regis- 
trations, sanitary conditions in home and school environ- 
ments, to insure proper nourishment of children, to promote 
infant welfare and to reduce infant mortality. 

Hygiene has been introduced into the schools. The 
height and weight of students have been recorded and 
physical examinations given. ^ 

^ In view of the facts revealed by the physical examination of our 
men who entered the military service, the State Board of .Health becomes 
one of the most important agencies of our state government. A large per 
cent of our young men were found unfit for military service because of 
physical disability. For the most part these defects could easily have 
been prevented. If we as a people are to profit by these facts learned 
because of the war we must prevent such physical disabilities in the future. 
This work, if it is to be done at all, must largely be done through the State 
Board of Health. 

The appropriation for carrying on the work of the board for the 
biennial period of 191 9 and 1920 was only |2o,oco. The board had asked 
the legislature for ^28 1,000. There is no work in which co-operation is 
more essential than in the work of disease prevention. If we are to accom- 
plish results, we must work together. The State Board of Health is the 
legally constituted body to direct our work against unsanitary conditions 
and disease. But it cannot do the work unless the necessary funds are 
provided. 



CL02 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

State Board of Agriculture. The State Board of Agricul- 
ture was created by law March 13, 1865. It is composed 
of sixteen appointive members who serve without pay, and 
three ex-officio members. The ex-officio members are the 
governor, the State superintendent of schools and the dean 
of the College of Agriculture. The offices of the board 
occupy nine rooms on the second floor of the new capitol 
building, just across the aisle north of the senate chamber. 
The appropriation for the use of the State Board of Agricul- 
ture for the biennial period of 1917 and 191 8 was $153,540. 

The duties of the board have increased rapidly in the last 
few years. A veterinarian and more than two hundred 
deputies are engaged in the work of controlling diseases of 
live stock. The board directs the work of the State dairy 
commissioner, the farmers' institute work, and apiary 
inspection. It issues monthly farm bulletins, monthly crop 
reports, a year book and farm statistics. It manages the 
agricultural publicity bureau, administers the new commer- 
cial mixed feed inspection law, and controls the labeling and 
proper sale of millions of dollars worth of mixed feed in the 
State. Two of the most important duties of the board are 
the control of hog cholera and bovine tuberculosis. 

The Missouri State Fair is in charge of the State Board of 
Agriculture. The State Fair, held at Sedalia,is a big institu- 
tion, has a million dollars worth of property, and is of great 
value in educating our citizenship to the possibilities of 
Missouri as a leading live stock and agricultural state. 

The State Tax Commission. An act of the State legisla- 
ture approved April 9, 1917, created the State Tax Commis- 
sion. The first specified duty of the commission is "to 
exercise general supervision over all the assessing officers of 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE 203 

the State, and to take such measures as will secure the 
enforcement of all revenue and taxation laws." Following 
this provision of the law, the tax commission made an 
effort to secure the assessment of property at its full value. 
It reported for the year 1917 to the State Board of Equali- 
zation a valuation of 14,017,896,413^° for the property of the 
State. 

Another important duty assigned by law to the tax 
commission is the preparation oi the budget, or report to the 
legislature. The law requires the commission to study the 
work of administrative officials with a view to recommend- 
ing legislation that will eliminate overlapping service, to 
familiarize itself with all the sources of income provided by 
law for the State, and to inform itself concerning the expen- 
diture of the public funds. 

In complying with this section of the law the commission 
visits the various State institutions and the offices of all 
State departments, boards and commissions, inquires into 
the expenditures and the work accomplished, especially in 
the last biennial period, and makes an estimate of the needs 
for the next two-year period. This estimate which is called 
the "State Budget" must be submitted to the General 
Assembly during the first thirty days of its session. The 
appropriation for the work of the State Tax Commission for 
1917 and 191 8 was $60,000. 

The Public Service Commission. At the beginning of 
our period, 1870, there were very few public utilities. That 
was before the use of electric street cars, electric lights, or 

^° This valuation was exclusive of railroads and other public vitilities. 
It was greatly reduced by the State Board of Equalization, which in 
accordance with the constitution passes final judgment upon valuation of 
property in the State. 



C104 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

telephones, and there were few cities that had water works. 
As public utilities developed it became necessary, in order 
to protect the public, to exercise control over the companies 
owning the various utilities. At first this control was exer- 
cised by the various cities through the ordinary courts or 
through special city commissions which the State had 
authorized. But city regulation was found unsatisfactory 
and expensive. Cities could not regulate the service and 
rates of railroad companies, express companies, and tele- 
graph and long distance telephone companies. 

The legislature in 1913 repealed the act conferring regu- 
lating power on cities and created the State Public Service 
Commission. This commission was given power to regulate 
the service and rates of all public utilities operating in the 
state. No public service corporation may now issue stocks, 
bonds, or securities without an order of the commission. 
The work of the commission has been very heavy. Hundreds 
of cases have been investigated and decisions rendered 

The increase in prices of labor and material has caused 
a great many requests of public utility corporations for 
permission to raise rates. These have been heard and 
decided by the commission in accordance with the facts 
as shown by investigation. The commission consists of 
five members appointed by the governor. Each of them 
receives a salary of ^^5,500. The commission employs a 
great many assistants. ^^ The biennial appropriation for 

11 The working force is divided into five departments as follows: the 
legal department, which attends to the court review proceedings in which 
the commission is involved; the railroad department, which has charge of 
all questions of rates over steam lines; the engineering department, which 
appraises the property of public utilities; and the accounting department 
which audits the books and records of public utility corporations. The 
fifth department handles the cases of companies which furnish gas, elec- 
tricity, heat and water. 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE 205 

1 917 and 1 91 8 was $266,200, but the commission collects 
fees which are turned into the State treasury. These 
materially reduce the amount which the state expends for 
the support of the commission. 

The State Highway Board. The State Highway Board 
was provided for by the Hawes Road Law which was ap- 
proved March 13, 1 91 7. The board consists of four members 
appointed by the governor. It selects the highway engineer, 
and he may be discharged by them at any time. The 
principal duty of the highway engineer is to co-operate with 
the county road authorities in locating State highways and 
supervising in a general way the road construction in the 
State.i2 

Land Reclamation Department. This department was 
created by law in 1913. It is costing the State about $6,000 
a year. The object of the law is to stimulate and guide 
efforts to drain and improve swamp lands and lands subject 
to overflow. Land worth practically nothing is frequently 
transformed into land worth a hundred dollars an acre or 
more by the creation and maintenance of a drainage district. 
The cost of construction and maintenance of drainage 
ditches is borne by the properties benefited. The chief 
work of the department is to furnish information concerning 
drainage companies. 

The State Historical Society. The State Historical 
Society of Missouri was organized by the Missouri Press 
Association, May 26, 1898. It was incorporated in 1899 
and made the official historical society for the State by act 
of the General Assembly. The purpose of the society is to 

^^ For information concerning co-operation between the State and the 
United States see the Smith-Lever Act. 



2o6 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

collect and preserve the history of Missouri and the Middle 
West and to make this history accessible to Missourians. 

More than six hundred newspapers are received, pre- 
served and bound by the society. The society has in its 
library 10,500 bound volumes of Missouri newspapers and 
200,000 books and pamphlets. 

The society has served the State by building up the 
largest and most valuable library on Missouri history in 
existence. It has also served the citizens of the State by 
making this collection of historical material accessible. 
The society publishes a quarterly magazine which is free to 
all members. It keeps the library open to all persons 
throughout the year. It answers many questions on the 
history of the State for which no charge is made. This cor- 
respondence totals over 5,000 letters a year. 

The society lends to any reputable citizen of the State 
such of its books as can be replaced. These are sent by 
insured express at the borrower's risk and expense. The 
society also lends its service and advice to hundreds of local 
clubs and patriotic chapters over the State in their efforts 
to popularize Missouri history. The library of the society 
is located at Columbia, and is housed in a new fire proof 
library building. 

The State Capitol Commission Board. The capitol of 
Missouri was struck by lightning and burned February 5, 
191 1. The legislature which was in session at the time 
submitted to the people a proposition to issue $3,500,000 in 
bonds to build and furnish a new State capitol. The legisla- 
ture also passed an act giving the Permanent Seat of Govern- 
ment Board power to appoint a State Capitol Commission 
of four members, two from each of the leading Dolitical par- 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK THROUGH THE STATE 207 

ties. E. W. Stephens of Columbia, Theo. Lacaff of Nevada, 
A. A. Speer of Charmois, and J. C. S. Hiller of Glenco, were 
appointed. 

The commission met and organized by electing E. W. 
Stephens chairman, A. A. Speer vice-chairman, and J. 
Kelley Poole of Centralia, secretary. This commission 
succeeded in building one of the best capltol buildings in 
the United States with the $3,500,000 which the people had 
voted for that purpose. The building compares favorably 
with capltol buildings in eastern states that cost millions 
more. One thing that should be gratifying to every MIs- 
sourlan is the fact that the capltol was completed without 
even a suspicion of graft or dishonesty on the part of any 
one connected with the work. That is an unusual record 
In the construction of state capltols. Every Missourlan 
should be proud of our new State Capitol. 

Missouri a Modern State. The preceding brief outline 
of the work done by a few of the forty-three miscellaneous 
boards and commissions that are a part of the State govern- 
ment will give the reader some idea of the vast amount of 
work done by the state of Missouri. In addition to the 
work done by the twenty-one state Institutions and the 
forty-three boards and commissions, there are five great 
departments of state. The secretary of state, the state 
treasurer, the state auditor, the attorney general and the 
superintendent of public schools are the heads of these five 
great departments. As the State has become modern the 
work of each of these departments has increased rapidly. 
The legislature has given all of them assistants and clerks 
and yet it is difficult for them to keep up with the expandmg 
work of this modern State. ' 



ao8 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV 

1. How has civilization developed? 

2. Trace the development of the state through co-operative working 
groups. 

3. What caused cities to be built? 

4. What were some of the things a state was supposed to do when Mis- 
souri became a state? 

5. What state institutions had been created before 1870? 

6. How many state institutions are there? 

7. What three classes of state institutions are there? 

8. How many normal schools were created? 

9. What are the teacher's training institutions now called? 

10. Name the eleemosynary institutions. 

11. Name the four penal institutions. 

12. What are some of the duties of the State Board of Health? 

13. What disease has caused the death of the greatest number of people 
in Missouri in the last nine years? 

14. What are the duties of the deputy health commissioner? 

15. Why is the work of the State Board of Health important? 

16. What are the duties of the State Board of Agriculture? 

17. Where is the home of the State Board of Agriculture? 

18. Name two duties of the State Tax Commission. 

19. When was the Public Service Commission created? What are some 
of its duties? 

20. What is the purpose of the State Historical Society? 

21. How many great departments of state are there? 



CHAPTER V 

CO-OPERATIVE WORK OF VOLUNTARY 
ORGANIZATIONS 

When men first learned to work together, the work was 
voluntary. Later when large groups such as tribes, cities 
and states were developed to do certain kinds of work 
which nearly every one agreed should be done by the whole 
group, the few who did not agree were compelled to do their 
part. 

As soon as the majority of the people of a state believe 
that a certain kind of work should be done by the co-opera- 
tion of all, it becomes the work of the state, and every one 
is compelled to do his part. 

Thus every one agrees that the common defense is the 
work of the state, and every one who is able is compelled to 
go to war if it is necessary. As we have developed modern 
life, and use telephones, electricity, motor cars and many 
other things to enable us to do things quicker and better, 
we are finding more and more work that can be done better 
by groups working together than by individuals working 
alone. But there is much community work which has not 
yet been recognized as work the state should do. This kind 
of work is often done by volunteer organizations. 

Corporations. We need ice in summer time, but we 
cannot all make the ice we need. Some people volunteer to 
form an organization to do the work of making ice. They 
apply to the state and get a charter — that is, the group is 

209 



-lo HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

granted permission to do business as an individual. They 
build an ice plant and manufacture ice. The rest of us buy 
the ice they make — we thereby pay them for doing the work 
we want done, but which this organization can do better 
and cheaper than we can do it. 

There were corporations before 1870, the beginning of 
our period, but there were not many. Many kinds of work 
that were then done by individuals are now done by corpora- 
tions. The increase in the number and size of corporations 
is one of the characteristics of the period. 

Other Volunteer Organizations. But a great number of 
volunteer organizations have been formed for doing work 
for which no direct pay is received as in the case of industrial 
corporations. People working at the same kind of work 
often form voluntary organizations for mutual benefit. 

There is a great variety of these voluntary organizations. 
Many of them are local; others are state-wide. Many are 
temporary; others are permanent. Their purposes are as 
varied as the organizations themselves and range all the 
way from industrial corporations to charitable organizations. 

In case there is need for a great effort on the part of a 
people, the voluntary organizations multiply. In the Great 
War we formed voluntary township, city, county, and state 
organizations to sell bonds, collect money, or do anything 
that was necessary to win the war. The increase in the 
number of voluntary organizations and the great amount of 
work done by them is a noticeable feature of the last period 
of Missouri history. 

Often state-wide voluntary associations influence the 
state government and get it to undertake the work, or a part 
of the work, which the organization wants done. Often 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS 211 

state boards, commissions or departments are created in that 
way. In cases of that kind the state and the voluntary- 
organization co-operate in the work to be done. 

A number of state-wide voluntary associations were 
formed in the later part of the third period of Missouri his- 
tory. Among these were the State Agricultural Association, 
the State Teachers' Association, the State Medical Associa- 
tion, and others of a like nature. 

The State Teachers' Association. The Missouri State 
Teachers' Association was organized in St. Louis, May 21, 
1856. At this first session the establishment of state normal 
schools was the chief subject of discussion. Horace Mann of 
Massachusetts addressed the association and a committee 
was appointed to present the subject to the State legislature 
at its next meeting. The establishment of normal schools 
was urged by the association from 1856 on, but it was 1870, 
the year of the beginning of our last period, before the 
teachers succeeded in getting favorable action by the State 
legislature 

The State Association has grown from a membership of 
200 in 1870 to a membership of 15,000 in 191 9. It now em- 
ploys a secretary for full time. The secretary, Mr. E. M. 
Carter, has his offices at Columbia and has charge of the sale 
and distribution of both teachers' and pupils' reading circle 
books. 

The association effected a complete reorganization in 
1919. The new constitution provides for local community 
associations, and district associations affiliated with the 
State association. It also provides for a monthly School 
Journal called "School and Community" which is sent to 
every member of the association. The leaders of the asso- 



2 1 2 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

elation expect to secure by the new organization a one hun- 
dred per cent enrollment. That would be a membership of 
more than 20,000 teachers. 

The State Teachers' Association Is an example of a 
voluntary association working through the State government 
to accomplish many of its purposes. 

Beginning with the creation of normal schools in 1870, 
the history of the progressive educational legislation in 
Missouri is a history of the passage of measures that had 
been urged through resolution and by committees of the 
association sometimes for years. 

Normal schools, county institutes, county supervision, 
consolidation laws, compulsory school laws, a minimum term 
of eight months, and aid to rural schools were all secured 
through continued agitation by the State Teachers' Associa- 
tion. The State Department of Education and the State 
Association co-operate for progress in education in Mis- 
souri, and the State superintendent of schools can always 
rely upon the association for loyal support in carrying out 
his plans 

State Agricultural Association. The State Agricultural 
Association of Missouri was organized in 1853. In 1865 the 
legislature passed an act creating a State Board of Agricul- 
ture. The State Board aids the voluntary state associations 
which have to do with the advancement of agriculture. The 
"Year Book" contains reports of these associations; such as 
the State Poultry Association, the State Sheep Breeders 
Association and the State Dairy Association. The object 
of these associations is the better development of their par- 
ticular fields of work. There are now a large number of 
these organizations co-operating with the State Board of 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS 213 

Agriculture in developing the agricultural interests of the 
State. A number of voluntary agricultural organizations 
have a commercial or economic motive. Among these are 
the farm bureau movement, the farm club movement, the 
farmers' exchange, and various other local co-operative 
movements. 

The Farm Bureau. The farm bureau works in connec- 
tion with the Federal Department of Agriculture and the 
State College of Agriculture. Federal aid was granted to 
farm bureaus by the Smith-Lever Act, which was passed 
May 8, 1914. Since then the movement has spread rapidly 
and there are now (1920) in the state of Missouri thirty-five 
counties that maintain county agents, representing farm 
bureau organizations. 

The purposes of this bureau are: (i) To increase the 
yield of crops per acre; (2) To assist the farmer to get seeds, 
fertilizers, live stock, and farm labor; (3) To eflFect co-opera- 
tion for the economical purchase of farm supplies and the 
marketing of farm products; (4) To eliminate farm wastes; 
(5) To conduct demonstrations showing the benefits of 
spraying fruit, of treating oats and wheat for smut, of the 
vaccination of hogs and cattle, etc. In general the farm 
bureau attempts to carry the work of the State College of 
Agriculture to the farmer in his own home. 

The Missouri Farmers' Association. The Missouri Farm- 
ers' Association was permanently organized at a farm 
club convention at Sedalia in 1917. The official organ of the 
association Is "The Missouri Farmer" edited by William 
Hirth at Columbia. It is strictly a Missouri organization. 
The slogan is "production cost, together with a reasonable 



214 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

profit for the fruit of the farmers' sweat and toil." At the 
present time (1920) there are over 2,000 local clubs with 
more than 50,000 members. 

The Farmers' Exchange Association. The Farmers' 
Exchange Association was organized at Columbia during 
Farmers' Week in January, 1913. The association publishes 
a monthly bulletin which is sent to the members. In this 
is listed live stock that any member may want to sell. On 
joining this organization each member takes an oath not to 
misrepresent anything which he may list for sale. 

There are several other farmers' organizations which are 
all similar in their purpose. 

Organized Labor. At the beginning of our period (1870) 
organized labor had made little progress. Unions had been 
formed in the various trades, but there was no large organi- 
zation which included all unions. Between 1870 and 1880 
the Knights of Labor became strong in the State. In 1885 a 
railroad strike stopped the trains on the Gould System 
throughout the State. Much violence and rioting occurred. 
This caused the decline of Knights of Labor. The American 
Federation of Labor took its place. The State organization 
has made steady gains. In January, 1917, there were nine 
hundred and forty local branches in the State with a total 
membership of 103,107 

Federation of Missouri Commercial Clubs. In 1870 
there were few cities in Missouri. This period has been 
marked by the growth of cities, especially is this true of the 
later part of the period. The organization of a commercial 
club is one of the marks of a progressive city. In the last 
few years there have developed many problems common to 
all the cities of the State. The commercial clubs have 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS 215 

organized a State Federation of Commercial Clubs. Now 
every Missouri community of any importance has its com- 
mercial club. Probably 50,000 Missouri merchants and 
other business men belong to the commercial clubs that are 
affiliated in this state-wide organization. 

The Red Cross. The Red Cross was organized in Gen- 
eva, Switzerland, in 1863. Our National Red Cross was 
organized in 188 1. In Missouri the Red Cross made wonder- 
ful progress as soon as we became engaged in war with 
Germany. The Missouri organization "went over the top" 
in every membership campaign and every drive for funds. 
The problems of public health which were revealed by the 
war have opened up an extensive field of operation for the 
Red Cross in Missouri in time of peace. The organization 
is maintaining its membership. It is co-operating with 
other health agencies, especially the Tuberculosis Associa- 
tion, for the betterment of the health of the people of the 
State. The Junior Red Cross is organized throughout the 
schools of the State. The wonderful work done by the Red 
Cross during the war has given the organization the un- 
limited confidence of the people. 

The Missouri Tuberculosis Association. The Tubercu- 
losis Association is working in co-operation with the P..ed 
Cross for better sanitary conditions and better health of the 
people in order to prevent tuberculosis. This association 
was organized in 1 907 and incorporated under the law regulat- 
ing benevolent, educational and miscellaneous associations. 
The aim of the association is the suppression of tuberculosis. 
Its work is a crusade against that disease. The association 
bears no official relationship to the State and receives no 
financial aid from it. It is co-operating with the State Board 



21 6 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of Health in the organization of the division of Child Hy- 
giene and is contributing service and supplies for that 
purpose. 

The association is supported entirely by membership 
fees, voluntary contributions, and the proceeds of the sale 
of tuberculosis Christmas seals. These are sold for the m.ost 
part by the children of the schools of Missouri. 

The association secured the passage of an act providing 
for a state sanatorium for the treatment of tuberculosis 
cases. It soon became evident that the constitution of the 
state with its limitations would prevent the development 
of the work through state aid. A new plan was worked out. 
This plan divides the State into five districts corresponding 
to the Teachers' College Districts. The association places 
an agent in each district. The agent has the rank of full 
professor in the college, and the college furnishes office room 
and equipment. The association pays salary and expenses. 

The field agent studies health conditions in the district, 
lectures to students in the college, speaks before teachers' 
meetings, promotes the modern health crusade and health 
surveys. The plan was tried out in the Central Missouri 
and the Southwest Missouri State Teachers' Colleges and 
proved so successful that the association expects to extend 
it to the other teachers' colleges of the State. 

The association, in co-operation with other progressive 
forces, has been instrumental in securing the passage of 
advanced health legislation including laws for state aided 
hospitals, and for municipal and county nurses. 

The work of the association is educational as to needs. 
This is followed by demonstration work in co-operation with 
the Child Hygiene division of the State Board of Health. 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS 217 

The Missouri Historical Society. This society is not to 
be confused with the State Historical Society of Missouri 
described in Chapter IV. The State Historical Society of 
Missouri is a State institution, is supported by State appro- 
priation, and is located at Columbia. The Missouri His- 
torical Society is a voluntary society located in St. Louis. 
It receives no aid from the State. 

The Missouri Historical Society was founded August 
II, 1866, by a group of public spirited men among whom 
were Edward Bates, James H. Lucas, John F. Darby, and 
Charles P. Chouteau. The society has continued active 
since it was founded. It is supported by endowments, mem- 
bership dues, and donations. The Louisiana Purchase 
Exposition Company erected a splendid stone building in 
Forest Park, known as the Jefferson Memorial Building. 

The company gave this building to the Historical Society 
for its permanent home. The society moved its collection 
to the Jefferson Memorial Building in 1913. It has a splen- 
did collection of books, manuscripts, newspapers, and 
pamphlets relating to Missouri and Missourians. It also 
has an extensive genealogical section, a museum, and a 
portrait gallery of great interest. Its collections of Indian 
weapons, agricultural implements, pottery, pipes, and cere- 
monial objects is one of the best to be found anywhere. 

The Missouri Press Association. The Missouri Press 
Association was organized in St. Louis on the 17th of May, 
1867. Its members are bona fide editors and publishers of 
regular established newspapers, issued not less frequently 
than once a week, and of magazines of not less than quarterly 
issue, entered as second class mail matter, and who have 
continuously edited or published a journal for a year preced- 



ai8 ' HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

ing application for membership." The association holds an 
annual meeting. Since 1909 there has been a spring meeting 
during Journalism Week at the University of Missouri, as 
well as the regular fall meeting at some Missouri town or 
city. The association maintains relations with the National 
Editorial Association, sending delegates to its meetings. 
The object of the association is "to maintain a high standard 
of professional honor and personal probity for the publishing 
vocation of Missouri," to protect its members against losses 
through irresponsible advertisers, and in connection with 
this to promote social intercourse between its members and 
have a pleasant and profitable excursion each year. 

Through the efforts of the Missouri Press Association 
two worth-while institutions of great value and importance 
have been established. These are the School of Journalism 
of the University of Missouri and the State Historical Soci- 
ety of Missouri at Columbia. 

The Missouri State Medical Association. The Missouri 
State Medical Association was organized in 1850. Meetings 
have been held annually since that time except from 1859 to 
1867. The purpose of the organization when it was first 
formed was to improve the profession and to protect it 
from the encroachment of incompetent persons. At that 
time there was no law defining a medical practitioner. The 
people were therefore at the mercy of quacks, charlatans, 
and untrained pretenders of all kinds. 

The association grew in strength and influence as a guar- 
dian of the public health but never numbered more than 500 
members until 1903 when it was reorganized. In that year 
the scope of the organization was enlarged,^ new laws 

^ The purposes of the organization were as follows: "The purposes of 
this association shall be to federate and bring into one compact association 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS 219 

adopted, and members admitted through county societies, 
one society in each county that applied for a charter from 
the state association. 

The membership increased at once to over twelve hun- 
dred, and forty counties were affiliated. Since that time the 
membership has grown to 3,400 at the present time (1920) 
and 108 counties, including the city of St. Louis, are affili- 
ated. The association publishes a journal, which was 
established in 1904. Before the organization of the Missouri 
State Medical Association there were no laws concerning the 
control of contagious diseases or the Ucensing of physicians. 
The association has promoted progressive health legislation 
and has co-operated with the State Board of Health in 
enforcing the laws. Some of the results of the work of the 
organization may be seen in the remarkable advance in the 
science of medicine; character of physicians; in the emphasis 
placed upon disease prevention; and in the fact that the 
medical profession has become a powerful injfluence in guard- 
ing the public health by educating the people in the laws of 
hygiene and sanitation. 

Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union is the largest woman's organi- 
zation in the State. The Missouri state organization was 

the entire medical profession of the state of Missouri, and to unite with 
similar associations in other states to form the American Medical Associa- 
tion, with a view to the extension of medical knowledge and to the advance- 
ment of medical science; to the elevation of the standard of medical 
education, and to the enactment and enforcement of just medicallaws; to 
the promotion of friendly intercourse among physicians, and to theguarding 
and fostering of their material interests; and to the enlightenment and 
direction of public opinion in regard to the great problems of state medi- 
cine, so that the profession shall become more capable and honorable 
within itself, and more useful to the public in the prevention and cure of 
disease, and in prolonging and adding comfort to life." 



220 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

established soon after the founding of the National W. C. 
T. U. in 1874. The educational work of the W. C. T. U. in 
the State has had an influence which no one can measure. 
It secured the passage of a law requiring that the schools 
teach the effects of alcohol upon the human body. 

The work of the organization is carried on under six 
general heads. This work has become so extensive that it 
includes many lines of effort for the betterment of the 
human race. 

Woman Suffrage Organizations. An association was 
formed in St. Louis, May 8, 1867. "This was the first 
organization in the world having for its sole object the 
political enfranchisement of women." Most of the early 
woman's rights societies included other reforms. 

At the November election of 1872 Mrs. Minor of St. 
Louis offered her vote under the XIV amendment and was 
refused. Her husband, a lawyer, brought suit and the case 
was carried to the Supreme Court, which decided against 
Mrs. Minor. That put an end to the hope for women's 
obtaining national suffrage without a constitutional amend- 
ment. The efforts of the women were from this time on 
centered on the Missouri legislature. From 1870 the women 
went with their petitions for suffrage to every session of the 
legislature. Sometimes they had difficulty in getting their 
memorials referred to the proper committee. Motions were 
made to refer them to the committee on swamp lands, or the 
committee on lunatic asylums. But for the most part they 
were treated with courtesy. But the suffragists learned to 
their sorrow that courteous treatment did not mean the 
passage of bills. In 1892 an interstate suffrage convention 
was held in Kansas City. Mrs. Virginia Hedges was elected 



CO-OPERATIVE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS 221 

president, and Susan B. Anthony and Anna H. Shaw were 
speakers. In 1894 Mrs. Minor, who carried the case to the 
Supreme Court, died. This was a great loss to the move- 
ment in Missouri. From that time on for fifteen years 
suffragist enthusiasm was on the wane in Missouri. In 1910 
the St. Louis Equal Suffrage League was formed with ten 
charter members." 

In the spring of 191 1 a convention of the three clubs of 
Kansas City, Warrensburg, and Webster Groves was called 
and the Missouri Equal Suffrage Association was formed 
with Mrs. Robert Atkinson of St. Louis, as president. 
Events now moved rapidly, clubs were organized in all 
parts of the State and congressional district organizations 
were formed. A campaign for presidential suffrage by 
legislative action was pushed to a successful conclusion in 
March, 1919. The Susan B. Anthony amendment passed 
the Senate on June 4, 191 9. Governor Gardner called a 
special session of the legislature for July second and the 
amendment was ratified by a vote 125 to 4 in the House and 
29 to 3 in the Senate. The Missouri Equal Suffrage League 
had accomplished its purpose so far as Missouri was con- 
cerned. The Missouri legislature had done all it could do 
toward granting women equal suffrage 

2 "In the meantime other clubs were being formea, m otner parts of 
Missouri. 

Following a lecture by Sylvia Pankhurst Kansas City organized a 
Suffrage League with seventy members and Mrs. Henry Ess for its presi- 
dent. Warrensburg was next in order with a club of fifty members and 
Miss Laura Runyon, president. This club was the means of an untold 
amount of propaganda through the pupils of the school in Warrensburg. 
These pupils carried suffrage gospel to all parts of the State. A third club 
was formed in Webster Groves with twenty-five members. Mrs. Lee 
Rosborough was elected president. Missouri now had three clubs, the 
the requisite number for uniting with the National Association." 

Mrs. Robert Atkinson in Mo. Hist. Review. 



222 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The League of Women Voters. At the Golden Jubilee 
Convention of the National American Woman Suffrage 
Association held in St. Louis, March, 191 9, the League of 
Women Voters was organized. After the Missouri legisla- 
ture ratified the suffrage amendment, the Missouri Suffrage 
Association was reorganized and its name was changed to 
The League of Women Voters. A new constitution was 
adopted. Article II gives the purposes of the league as 
follows: "The aims of this League shall be to increase the 
effectiveness of woman's vote in furthering better govern- 
ment. The league as an organization shall be strictly 
non-partizan. Its officers and members are free to join 
the party of their choice." 

The league in its state convention has already taken 
a strong position in favor of better education, and such 
instruction in citizenship that *'all voters will speak the 
English language, read their own ballots and honor the 
American flag." 

Other Organizations. There are a great many organiza- 
tions having a specific co-operative work which they are 
promoting. Among these are the churches, the lodges, the 
Anti-Saloon League, the Grand Army of the Republic, the 
American Legion, the Daughtersof the American Revolution, 
the Daughters of the Confederacy, the Woman's Relief 
Corps, The Federation of Woman's Clubs, and many others. 

While churches and lodges were, for the most part, or- 
ganized before 1870, the other organizations belong to this 
last period of Missouri history. 



CHAPTER VI 
MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WARi 

When Missouri applied for admission to the Union as a 
state, on of the reasons given why she should receive recogni- 
tion was the service she had rendered the nation in the War 
of 1 8 12. During the Seminole War, Missouri furnished a 
volunteer regiment to serve in Florida. Her part in the 
Mexican War was unusually brilliant and vitally important. 
Colonel Doniphan and his Missouri volunteers made the 
longest march in history. In the Civil War the entire 
fighting strength of the State was engaged in the armies of 
the North or the South. In the Spanish-American War 
every member of the Missouri National Guard volunteered. 
The entire quota required of Missouri was supplied by the 
National Guard of the State. A great many volunteer 
companies were organized and at the end of the war were 
anxiously waiting to be called. In the Mexican crisis In 1916 
the Missouri National Guard, 5,030 strong, were the first 
to reach the Rio Grande and for six months It patrolled 145 
miles of the most difficult portion of the Mexican border. 

When America entered the Great War, there was con- 
siderable uneasiness on the Atlantic coast as to whether or 

^ For the data in this chapter the author is indebted to General Harvey 
C. Clark, whose article "Missourians in Service" in the Missouri Historical 
Review of October, I919, furnishes the basis for much of the chapter. 
The series of articles in the Missouri Historical Review,"MissourI and the 
War," by Mr. Floyd C. Shoemaker have also been used extensively. 

223 



224 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

not the Middle West would do its part. Missouri was the 
object of special concern to eastern newspaper writers, 
because of the German population in the State. Of course, 
no one who knew anything of Missouri's war history ever 
had any doubt about what she would do when war came. 

The record of Missouri's part in the war shows that the 
State was always among the first in real war activities. She 
furnished 128,000 men to the army, 3,400 to the marine 
corps, and 6,910 to the navy, a total of 138,310. "The 
record made by Missourians on the battle fields of Europe 
has never been surpassed in the annals of warfare. To them 
we must pay the supreme tribute of a grateful people. No 
words can measure their heroic gallantry, the greatness of 
their sacrifice. We can never sufficiently show our apprecia- 
tion; the ledger of our gratitude can never be balanced."^ 

The men who never got across the sea, but served in the 
camps on this side made untold sacrifice. The life of a 
soldier even in a training camp is one of hardship and danger. 
In this war more American soldiers died in campof pneumonia 
and influenza than were killed in battle. The real hero of 
this war more than of any other war of history was the 
common soldier and the line officer.^ There were 4,000,000 

2 Quoted from General Clark's article "Missourians in Service." 

3 "As a people we are prone to look for a military hero, and unfor- 
tunately there is a tendency to fix our eyes upon men in high places because 
we see their names most frequently mentioned. There is a disposition 
to unduly magnify the patriotism and service of men in high political, 
financial, or social positions who do very ordinary things, forgetting that 
the very prominence of some of these men would force them to seek public 
commendation; and sometimes we find some of them posing in comfortable 
berths where they can bask in public favor far from the scene oi hardship 
and danger. The service of the men in the field is quite different from that 
of one who serves in a comfortable office building, surrounded by all the 
comforts of civil life." 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 225 

of them. They furnished the casualty list. They served 
and suffered. They won the war. 

The Missouri National Guard. The last organization of 
the Missouri Guard had just been released from the Federal 
service on the Mexican border when war was declared. 
Governor Gardner immediately applied to the war depart- 
ment for authority to recruit all organizations of the National 
Guard to war strength, and to organize all the new units to 
which the State was entitled under the law. General Harvey 
C. Clark was assigned the task of organizing, training and 
equipping in three months a force which, under the defense 
act, the State was given five years to raise. 

On August 5, 1 917, the date the Guard was taken out of 
the Federal service, Missouri had organized every unit 
authorized by the war department. The strength of the 
guard was 14,756 men and officers. The entire force was 
mobilized on the state rifle range near Nevada. On Sep- 
tember 28, the troops entrained for Camp Doniphan, 
Oklahoma, where they were consolidated with the Kansas 
National Guard to form the thirty-fifth division. Missouri 
furnished about two-thirds and Kansas about one-third of 
the men in this division.'* The division remained at Camp 
Doniphan until April 12, 191 8, when it moveci to Camp 
Mills, New York, and embarked for Europe. It arrived 
at Liverpool May 7 and landed in France May 17, 191 8. 
After a brief period of training in France the division was 
sent to the front line trenches in the Vosges sector. After a 
long stay in that sector it was attached to the American 
force which made the attack at St. Mihiel. After the 

^ From the newspaper controversy stirred up by William Allen, later 
governor of Kansas, one would get the idea that the thirty-fifth division 
was a Kansas unit. 



lid 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



reduction of the St. Mihiel salient, the division was moved 
to the Argonne and for six days participated in the fiercest 
fighting of the greatest and most decisive battle of the war. 
The thirty-fifth division was the razor edge of the advancing 
American wedge. It bore the brunt of the battle, and four 
picked divisions of the famous Prussian Guard, the first, 
second, third, and fourth, were thrown in its way only to 




Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, New York 

General Pershing 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 227 

be routed.^ "Thus the citizen soldiery of Missouri and 
Kansas met and defeated the professional troops of the 
nation which stands as the foremost exponent of profes- 
sional militarism.^ There has been much criticism in 

^ "The division went over the top at 5:30 a.m. September 26, 1918, 
and on October first after six days of the most desperate fighting of the 
war, it had captured every objective from Vanquis Hill to Exemont, ad- 
vancing a distance of some eleven miles over a terraine mined and fortified 
with barbed wire and concrete as strongly as Prussian ingenuity knew 
how to defend it. 

"The casualties of the division in this engagement were 7,854 of which 
number 675 Missourians were killed and 4,561 wounded." (A total ot 
5,236 out of 7,854 were Missourians.) "Thirty-five Missouri infantry 
officers were killed and eighty-five wounded, a percentage of forty, which 
was a larger relative loss among officers than in any other division in the 
American army. Six hundred and forty Missouri enlisted men were killed 
and 4,476 wounded, or thirty-five per cent of the Missourians in the divi- 
sion. 

^ The following extract from a letter received by General Clark from a 
Missouri officer describes the conduct ot the Missourians. It was mailed 
soon after the Argonne fight. "When the history of our division is written 
every Missourian will be proud of the fact that he lives in a state which 
can furnish such soldiers to the world. No words can tell you of the 
heroic conduct of our men and of their uncomplaining, cheerful suflFering 
and magnificent gallantry as they faced, again and again, the awful fire 
of the Hun machine guns and again and again charged through the Ger- 
man lines and put to rout the picked troops of the enemy. We have read 
of the grim courage and incomparable spirit of Napoleon's Old Guard, 
but nothing could have surpassed the matchless bravery and cool effi- 
ciency of the Missouri and Kansas boys as they poured out their blood 
upon this awful field. I thought I knew what esprit de corps was, but 
I never quite realized it until I witnessed the devoted comradeship of 
these National Guardsmen grimly determined that the record made by 
the Missouri National Guard, in its acid test, should never be equaled. 
I know how you will feel when you read the casualty lists, because you 
will recognize the names of scores with whom you have served, and when 
you receive this letter you will know that I saw many of them go down, 
faithful to the last, dying with a heroism which has never been surpassed 
on any battlefield in the world." 



228 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

the press in reference to the management of this division. 
The confidential report of the Inspector, General Hugh A. 
Dunn, severely criticises Major General Peter E. Traub, 
who commanded the division, Chief Signal Officer Colonel 
George A. Wieczorek and General L. G. Berry, all regular 
United States Army officers. The report criticised the 
change of brigade and regimental commanders on the eve of 
battle, thus placing officers in command who were not 
familiar with the troops, the field, or the plans. The division 
returned to the United States in May, 191 9, and was dis- 
charged from the Federal service at Camp Funston. 

The Eighty-ninth Division. Soon after the mobilization 
of the National Guard, the government began the organiza- 
tion of another great force under the Selective Service Act. 
The first group of drafted men from Missouri was sent to 
Camp Funston in September, 1917, and together with the 
men from other western states was organized into the 
eighty-ninth division. It was trained by Major General 
Leonard Wood. Its men were the best in the great Middle 
West. Its officers were, for the most part, without military 
training except that given in the officers' training camps. 
But these officers did their work so well that the eighty- 
ninth went across in June, 191 8, and it became one of the 
finest fighting units in France. It took a prominent part 
in the battle of St. Mihiel and the Argonne, and reflected the 
greatest credit upon the citizen soldiery of the great Middle 
West. After the Armistice was signed, it became a part of 
the Army of Occupation in Germany.' The division was 

^ During its service the eighty-ninth division captured 5,061 prisoners, 
127 pieces of artillery, 455 machine guns, and advanced more than twenty- 
two miles against the enemy. Its members were awarded eight congres- 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 229 

brought back to the United States in June, 1919 and was 
immediately discharged from the Federal service 

Other Missouri Units. One National Guard unit, the 
First Missouri Signal Corps Battalion, stationed at Kansas 
City, was a part of the Rainbow (42nd) Division. The 
record of this division was unexcelled, and the Missouri unit, 
commanded by Colonel Ruby D. Garrett, was considered 
one of its very best. 

Another Missouri unit which acquitted itself with great 
credit was the twelfth Engineers, organized largely from 
railroad men in the city of St. Louis 

The eighty-eighth division^ organized at Camp Dodge, 
Iowa, had contained a large number of Missouri soldiers. 
Likewise a great many Missourians were taken to Camp 
Pike, Arkansas, where they became a part of the division. 

Missourians in All Units. Missouri was represented in 
practically every company, battery corps or contingent in 
the American army, and this State contributed its full quota 
to the Officers' Reserve Corps, Navy, Regular Army, Avia- 
tion Service, Marine Corps, The Engineers, Railroad Troops 
and Sanitary Units. Missourians fought with the marines at 
Chateau Thierry, their blood was poured out on every field in 
France and Belgium where American troops were engaged. 

sional Medals of Honor, one hundred nineteen Distinguished Service 
Crosses and fifty-five Croix de Guerre. It lost 1,419 killed and 7,394 
wounded. 

* The wonderful record made by this division composed of citizen 
soldiers of the middle west explodes the theory of the advocates of profes- 
sional militarism. This division, with less than a year of training was 
superior from every standpoint to the professional soldiers of Germany 
with their years of training. 



230 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

*'The conduct and bearing of our officers and men in all 
these organizations were such as to reflect the greatest credit 
upon the states. The record of all these young men is the 
priceless heritage of our State. They were our very best. 
So long as time lasts we will mourn for those who made the 
supreme sacrifice, and the people of Missouri should never 
cease in their efforts to show appreciation of the sacrifices 
made by those who served in the field, at home or abroad. 
Let us not be content with expressions of gratitude; let us 
see to it that the material loss of every Missourian who 
answered his country's call is reduced to the minimum. He 
is entitled to every consideration as long as he lives; let us 
not withhold it. He must face problems which he would not 
otherwise have been called upon to meet; let us make them 
easy for him."^ 

The General Assembly of 191 9 passed a number of acts 
for the purpose of expressing in a substantial way our grati- 
tude. First: A Soldiers' and Sailors' Employment Commis- 
sion was created. Ten thousand dollars was appropriated 
for the expenses of the commission. Second: an act 
was passed authorizing the county court of each county 
and the municipal body of each city to erect a suitable 
memorial building, or monument, or place a bronze tablet in 
some public building at the county seat dedicated to the 
memory of the soldiers, sailors, and marines furnished by the 
county or city in the war with Germany. One hundred 
and thirty thousand dollars was appropriated for this pur- 
pose. Third: An act was passed dedicating both floors of 
the east corridor of the new capitol building to the purpose 

5 From the article of General Harvey C. Clark "Missourians in Ser- 
vice" in the Missouri Historical Review of October, 1919. 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 231 

of a soldiers' and sailors' memorial hall. The battle flags 
of all Missouri units in all the wars in which Missourians 
have been engaged are to be displayed there. Fifteen 
thousand dollars was appropriated for this purpose. 
Fourth: This act appropriates ^25,000 for erecting in France 
a suitable memorial to the memory of the Missouri boys who 
fell there. Fifth: The act appropriates ^25,000 for the 
compilation and publication of the records of Missouri units 
in the war, together with a biography of every soldier, sailor 
or marine who served. The adjutant general is authorized 
to do this work. It is estimated that the work will contain 
six volumes. Provision is made for the free distribution of 
this history to all libraries and public schools of the State. 
Sixth: The act provides that all officers and employees of 
the Workman's Compensation Commission shall be honor- 
ably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines. Finally: The 
act provides for the reorganization of the National Guard 
and appropriates $265,000 for that purpose. 

Decorations and War Crosses. Hundreds of Missouri 
boys have been decorated for acts of daring and bravery. 
Every such decoration is the recognition of an act of unusual 
courage, performed without thought of self, for the benefit 
of comrades and country. The detailed stories of these 
deeds, if they could all be written, would make a most 
interesting book. The most decorated Missourian in the 
service, with the possible exception of General Pershing, is 
Private John Barclay^*^ of Holden, Missouri. Barclay re- 

^'^ Barclay, a former student of Central Missouri State Teachers' 
College, was a private in the Intelligence Service of the 4th infantry. The 
7th infantry was on the right of the 4th and had a well fortified hill in their 
tront to take. The 4th infantry made an attack in an attempt to flank the 
hill and lost heavily. During the night of the 6th of October Barclay 



7.22 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

j;eived eight decorations, the Congressional Medal of Honor, 
the French Croix de Guerre, the French Medail'e Militaire, 
the British War Cross, the Belgian War Cross, the Medal de 
Bravere of Montenegro. 




John Barclay 



was sent out to establish an observation post in advance and to the right 
of the 7th infantry. He succeeded in establishing himself near the enemy- 
line. He stayed at his post on the 7th of October watching the Germans. 
He was to give warning with a telephone if the Germans prepared to 
attack. But the artillery fire of the enemy cut his telephone line. He 
could see the Germans carrying ammunition all morning and making 
preparation for an attack, but could give no warning. About 150 yards 
to the rear of Barclay's position was a disabled tank which the Germans 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 233 

Pershing and Crowder. Not only have Missouri private 
soldiers and line officers reflected great credit upon the State, 
but the leaders she has furnished in the great war hold first 
place in the service rendered and in the esteem of the nation. 

had evidently abandoned in a hurry. Around this tank were piles of 
machine gun ammunition and several machine gun barrels with the blocks 
removed to render them useless. Barclay as an intelligence man had been 
instructed in the use of all kinds of enemy and allied fire arms and carried 
a German machine gun block with him. During the day Barclay had 
plenty of time to figure out what a fine fort that tank would make, if he 
could only get to it. The enemy preparations for the attack seemed to be 
about complete, and Barclay was about ready to leave his post and make 
a run for his own lines, although that almost certainly meant death, when 
suddenly about four o'clock in the afternoon the 7th infantry threw over a 
smoke screen. Under cover of the smoke screen Barclay made his way 
to the tank gathered up seven or eight thousand rounds of ammunition 
and put in the tank or where he could reach it, and took in two machine 
gun barrels. He filled the water jacket of the machine gun from a shell 
hole and was ready for the enemy. The smoke screen had hardly begun 
to clear away when he saw the lines of enemy skirmishers advancing. Soon 
the Germans shot up a green rocket and the main line of attack moved 
forward. From Barclay's position he had a good field of fire on the Ger- 
man line from the flank as it advanced. He fired about 3,000 rounds and 
the German line melted away. Only a few got back to the cover of their 
trenches. Immediately German machine gun bullets began to fall on 
the tank like rain, but without damage to Barclay. Soon a one pounder 
opened fire from a wood about 800 yards distant. The shots were serious 
and were getting close to their mark. Barclay's nose began bleeding from 
the concussion as the tank was hit. At first the enemy gun was so well 
camouflaged that Barclay could not locate it. But after a time he suc- 
ceeded in locating the flash. Swinging his tank around he cut acircle of 
fire around the spot and then cut an x across it. The one pounder did 
not fire again. A second attack was started. Barclay's gun choked. He 
changed barrels and in doing so lost the water in the jacket. He emptied 
his canteen into the water jacket, but that did not last long. Thinking 
he had done all he could he started to leave the tank when he stumbled 
on to a two gallon can of oil. He emptied the oil into the water jacket, 
and the smoke blinded and almost suffbcated him'for a time. He touched 
his finger to the trigger and his gun worked again. The second and heavi- 



^34 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



First among Missouri's great leaders in the war stands 
General John J. Pershing,^^ Commander-in-Chief of the 
American Expeditionary Forces. Among all the com- 
manders of the nations of first rank which entered the war, 
Pershing is the only one who occupied that position from the 

est German attack melted away as the first had done. The 7th infantry 
attack came and cleared the German trenches. About that time the 
German six inch artillery to the rear of the German line opened fire upon 
the tank, but Barclay had done his work and the 7th infantry had taken 
the German infantry trenches before the German artillery got into action. 
Barclay had been in the tank about two and one-half hours. Nearly all of 
his regiment has been killed or wounded in the fight of the day before. 
When he got back to his own lines he was so exhausted with the work of 
the night before and the day that he found a safe dugout and slept all 
night and all the next day. The first man to reach Barclay was an ofiicer 
of the 7th infantry. One of Barclay's officers had seen the whole fight from 
a balloon, but did not know at the time that it was Barclay in the tank. 

" John J. Pershing and Enoch H. Crowder, the two leading military 
men of the nation, are both Missourians. Pershing was born in Linn 
County in i860; Crowder in the adjoining county of Grundy in 1859. 
Both were appointed cadets to West Point, Crowder going first and Persh- 
ing following immediately afterward. Both were graduated and com- 
missioned second lieutenants in cavalry, and saw their first service together 
in Indian Wars in Arizona. Then Lieutenant Crowder was detailed as 
instructor in military tactics at the University of Missouri and Pershing 
had the same detail at the University of Nebraska. While on these 
details both studied law and were graduated from their respective univer- 
sities. They were together again in the campaign against the Sioux 
Indians. They were both in Cuba, both in the Philippines, and both were 
sent as military representatives to Japan during the Russo-Japanese War. 

Crowder was promoted over several hundred officers when he was 
appointed judge advocate of the regular army with the rank ot major, 
while Pershing went over 800 heads, from captain to brigadier general. 
Both reached the highest rank possible in their respective lines of service, 
Pershing that of General in command of the American Expeditionary 
Forces, and Crowder that ofMajor General, the highest rank attainable by 
a staff officer on duty at Washington. They have had a large share in 
the war — Pershing directing the American armies in the field, Crowder 
managing the mobilization of the millions to make these armies. 1 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 235 

time his country entered the contest until the end of the 
war. The German commander, Von Moltke, lasted but a 
short time. The British General French gave way to General 
Haig. The French leader, General Joffe, was retired and 
finally Foch became commander. The Italian General 
Cardona held his command for nearly two years but was 
finally relieved, and was succeeded by General Diaz. But 
General Pershing landed in France soon after the United 
States entered the war and on the day the Armistice was 
signed he held to the fullest extent the confidence of his 
army, his government, his people, the aUied armies, and the 
allied nations. "No military officer has been more closely 
observed, has had a more significant position, and has met 
more peculiar situations demanding executive ability and 
political astuteness than General Pershing. If he had 
failed once, even in some minor operation, had spoken the 
wrong word, had left a poor impression on civilians and 
soldiers at home or in England and France, or had com- 
mitted one of a hundred possible errors, the fact would have 
been heralded over land and sea. Somehow, he met every 
test."i2 

Next to General Pershing, doubtless, the most distin- 
guished man produced by the war is General Enoch H. Crow- 
der, also a Missourian. General Crowder when a young 
lieutenant serving on the frontier became interested in the 
problem of properly drafting men for army service in the 
United States. He specialized on that problem. In 1904, 
when attached to the first Japanese army as military ob- 
server, his first thought was directed to the questions that 
concerned the raising of armies. There are always men to 

^- Shoemaker — "Missouri and the War." Missouri Historical Review. 



230 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

lead armies, he said, but who can lead armies if they do not 
exist? When the war came, he was ready with the sugges- 
tions on which the Universal Service Law was framed. 
Under Crowder's administration the law worked smoothly. 
Four million men were mobilized, and Crowder knew exactly 
where to get 20,000,000 more as they might be needed. 




Copyright Harris & Ewing, Washington, D. C. 

Provost Marshal General E. H. Crowder 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 237 

Other Leaders in the War. When the first American 
flotilla of destroyers in active service in European waters 
arrived at Queenstown, it was directed by a Missourian, 
Commander Joseph K. Taussig of St. Louis, son of Rear- 
Admiral Taussig, also of St. Louis. 

When the nation began its campaign for greater food 
production, the work was placed under the direction of a 
former Missourian, Hon. David E. Houston, Secretary of 
Agriculture. Hon. Carl Vrooman, a Macon County Mis- 
sourian and Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, became 
leader of the speaking campaign for greater food production. 
When the committee on public information was organized in 
Washington, a Missourian, George Creel, a native of Lafay- 
ette County, was made chairman. Hon. David R. Francis 
rendered very valuable service during the war as ambassador 
to Russia. 

One of Missouri's most active and earnest leaders in war 
work was her war governor, Frederick D. Gardner. Gover- 
nor Gardner was one of the first state executives to call a 
state-wide convention to carry out the wishes of the Presi- 
dent and Congress. Hundreds of other Missourians occupied 
prominent positions in the war and in war work both at 
home and abroad, but the lack of space prevents their 
mention by name. 

The Work of Missouri at Home. While Missourians 
were doing their full duty abroad and in the training camps, 
they were supported loyally by Missourians at home, in 
field, in factory, and in mine. Missouri's record of war 
activity is a matter of pride to the State and a satisfaction to 
her citizens. 



238 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




Frederick D. Gardner 
Missouri's War Governor 

Missouri stood first in proportion to population in signers 
of the Hoover food pledges and in sale of thrift stamps. She 
always over-subscribed her quota in liberty loan drives. 
She more than doubled her allotment in Red Cross member- 
ship campaigns. 

Measured by every practical standard, volunteer enlist- 
ments, thrift stamp sales, purchase of bonds, Red Cross 
subscriptions and Y.M.C.A. contributions, Missouri stands 
high. 



MISSOURI AND THE GREAT WAR 



239 



Food Production. But the most remarkable work done 
by Missourians at home was that of food production. In 
spite of the fact that the State lost a large number of her 
farm laborers in the draft, the total value of all her crops in 
1917 was more than double that of 1916. The State ranked 
fourteenth in 1916 and fifth in 1917 in value of food crops. ^^ 
This response to the nation's call for food is evidence of the 
patriotism of the Missouri farmers. 



Crop 


1916 


1917 


Percentage in 
crease 


Corn 

Wheat (1917). . . . 

Potatoes 

Oats 


132,000,000 

275,400,000 

5,460,000 

32,250,000 

56,000 

490,000 


252,000,000 

46,22^,000 

9,483,000 

59,200,000 

90,000 

806,000 

2,500,000 


91% 
31" 
74" 
84" 


Buckwheat 

Sweet potatoes . . 
Sorcrhum-molasses 


61" 

83" 
^-33" 

225" 

iJOO " 


Gardens . 




Beans 






Canned products . 






"85" 









QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER VI 

1. Discuss the war record of Missouri before the great war. 

2. What was the attitude of the East toward Missouri at the beginning of 
the war? 

3. How many men did Missouri furnish during the war? 

4. Who were the real heroes of the war? 

5. What was the strength of the National Guard when taken into the 
Federal service? Who had organized it? 

6. In what division was the Missouri National Guard placed? 

7. In what battles was the Missouri Guard engaged? 



240 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

8. What were the losses of the Missouri Guard in the Argonne? 

9. Who was criticised and what were some of the criticisms made con- 
cerning the management of the division in the Argonne battle? 

10. Where, when and by whom was the eighty-ninth division organized? 

11. Give an account of its campaigns. 

12. What Missouri unit was in the Rainbow Division? 

13. Name other units containing Missouri men. 

14. What had the General Assembly of Missouri done to aid the soldiers 
of the State? 

15. What are the meaning of miUtary decorations? 

16. Who is the most decorated Missouri soldier? For what was he 
decorated? 

17. Who are Missouri's two most noted miUtary leaders? 

18. Give an account of them. 

19. Name other Missouri leaders in the war. 

20. How does Missouri stand in war work at home? 

21. How did Missouri rank in the value of food crops in 1916? In 1917? 



CHAPTER VII 
MISSOURI WRITERS 

Missouri has produced a large number of writers, some of 
whom have become famous in all parts of the world. Thomas 
H. Benton, William F. Switzler, and Colonel Sneed, editor 
of the "St. Louis Bulletin," were all writers of ability who 
lived during the third period. But the most productive 
period in Missouri literature is the period from 1870 to 1920. 
Some writers of this period deserve special mention. 

"Mark Twain." Samuel L. Clemens, whose pen name 
was Mark Twain, was Missouri's greatest writer and Amer- 
ica's most famous humorist. He was born in the town of 
Florida, Monroe County, Missouri, on November 30, 1835. 
His parents were poor but well educated. They moved to 
Hannibal when he was three years old. As he grew to man- 
hood, he spent many hours on the bank of the great Missis- 
sippi watching the steamboats. He enjoyed talking with the 
men who worked on the boats. The most important man on 
a steamboat running on the Mississippi was the pilot. Mark 
Twain later became a pilot on a Mississippi River steamboat. 

Mark Twain did not like to go to school. He was a good 
speller and liked to read history, but history was not often 
taught in school in those days. 

He worked on a Hannibal newspaper for several years. 
For four years he was in the east, and while there made a 
living setting type in newspaper offices in New York, Phila- 
delphia, and Washington. Returning to Missouri he worked 

241 



242 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

for his brother, who owned a newspaper. He then went to 
New Orleans and learned to be a pilot on the Mississippi. 
In his work as a pilot he met and talked to all kinds of men. 
Later he wrote a book which he called "Life on the Missis- 
sippi.'* 

When the war broke out, Mark Twain joined the Con- 
federate army. He was captured, but escaped and went to 
Nevada where his brother Orion lived at that time. He 
tried mining for a while and then became a reporter for a 
newspaper. Later he wrote a book ''Roughing It" in which 
he told his experiences in the west. While in a mining 
camp in the west, Mark Twain heard a story about a frog. 
He wrote the story and it made him famous. This was in 
1867 when he was thirty-two years old. From this time he 
traveled a great deal, observed folks closely and wrote 
many books and stories for newspapers and magazines. 
His books were not only read in America and England 
but were translated into other languages and read in all 
parts of the world. His stories were read and liked by 
everybody from the ten year old boy to the man seventy 
years of age. They were full of wit and humor, but they 
also had serious thought in them beneath the fun. Mark 
Twain made fun of shams, sympathized with the poor and 
unfortunate, and denounced injustice. He ranks among the 
greatest humorists the world has produced. He died at his 
home in Connecticut, April 21, 1910. Among his best known 
works are: "Tom Sawyer," "Huckleberry Finn," ''Innocents 
Abroad," "The Prince and the Pauper," and *'Pudd'nhead 
Wilson." 

Although Mark Twain had never received a high school 
or college education, the University of Missouri and the 



MISSOURI WRITERS 243 

University of Oxford, England, recognized his greatness 
and conlerred on him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 

Eug-ene Field. Next to Mark Twain, Missouri's most 
famous writer is Eugene Field. He was born in St. Louis, 
September 3, 1850 and died in Chicago, November 4, 1895. 
His father was wealthy and Eugene was sent to school in 
the east. After his father's death, he entered Missouri 
University. He was there but two years, but these two 
years were so full of activity that there are probably more 
stories told of Eugene Field than of any other student of 
the University. Field was not a good student except in the 
work he liked. He spent most of his time in writing and 
singing, and in playing jokes on the professors. He was a 
good speaker and a star in theatrical performances. He 




Eugene Field 

From Stevens' Missouri, the Center 
State, by permission of the Mis- 
souri Historical Society 



244 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

became literary editor of the first student paper published 
at the University of Missouri. This paper called the "Uni- 
verity Missourian" was founded in 1871 by Field and others. 
It lived during the two years that Field remained at the 
University. All of his early writings, both poetry and 
prose, were published in this paper. 

Eugene Field had inherited $60,000 from his father's 
estate. In 1873 he decided to travel in Europe. He left 
the University, took a companion with him, and spent the 
year traveling in Europe. He also spent his $60,000. He 
now returned to St. Louis and began work as a reporter. 
He continued to be a writer for newspapers until his death 
in 1895. -^^ w^^ always poor and in need of money. He 
married in St. Joseph and lived there two years. He then 
worked on newspapers in Kansas City, Denver, and Chicago. 

Eugene Field was a great lover of children and has been 
called the "Poet Laureate of Children." His fame as an 
author rests largely on his poetry about children, which is 
read more to-day than when it was first published. His 
first book was "The Tribune Primer" and was written while 
he was working on the Denver Tribune. He next published 
"A Little Book of Western Verse," and "A Little Book- of 
Profitable Tales." These books gave Field a national 
reputation. He published a number of other books. After 
his death all his works were published in a set of ten volumes. 
Eugene Field had five children, four girls and a boy. His son 
died when a child. The closet where the child kept his toys 
was locked just as he had left it. Years afterward one day 
Field unlocked the closet. What he saw, he told in a little 
poem called "Little Boy Blue." It is his most read poem.^ 

1 Little Boy Blue 

The little toy dog is covered with dust. 
But sturdy and stanch he stands; 



MISSOURI WRITERS 



H5 



Harold Bell Wright. Although Harold Bell Wright is not 
a native of Missouri, he spent several years in Missouri. 
His two greatest books, "The Shepherd of the Hills," and 
"The Calling of Dan Matthews" were written in Missouri. 
They describe the Missouri mountaineer, and picture the 
scenery of the Ozark Hills so graphically that his hero 
"Young Matt" will always stand for the ideal mountaineer 
of South Missouri. 

These stories of the people and the scenery of the South 
South Missouri hills made Harold Bell Wright one of the 
most popular living novelists. More than eight million 
copies of his books have been sold. 

And the little toy soldier is red with rust. 
And his musket moulds in his hands. 
Time was when the little toy dog was new. 
And the soldier was passing fair, 
And that was the time when Little Boy Blue 
Kissed them and put them there. 

"Now. don't you go till I come," he said, 

"And don't you make any noise!" 

So toddling off to his trundle-bed 

He dreamt of the pretty toys. 

And as he was dreaming, an angel song 

Awakened our Little Boy Blue — 

Oh, the years are many, the years are long, 

But the little toy friends are true! 

Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand, 

Each in the same old place. 

Awaiting the touch of a little hand. 

The smile of a little face. 

And they wonder, as waiting these long years through, 

In the dust of that little chair. 

What has become of our Little Boy Blue 

Since he kissed them and put them there. 



246 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Other Missouri Writers. There are many other Missouri 
writers who have attained prominence. Some of these were 
born and educated in Missouri but have since moved to 
other states. Others are still living and writing in Missouri. 
Winston Churchill was born in St. Louis, November lo, 
1 871, graduated from the United States Naval Academy, 
and now lives in New Hampshire. He has written many 
novels and ranks as one of the most popular novelists of to- 
day. One of his best works is "The Crisis," a historical novel 
depicting St. Louis scenes of the Civil War period. 

Probably Sara Teasdale is Missouri's best known living 
poet. She was born in St. Louis in 1884, and published her 
first volume of poems in 1907. ''Helen of Troy and Other 
Poems" was published in 191 1. Two volumes, "Rivers to 
the Sea" and "Love Songs" were published in 1917. In 
191 8 she was awarded the Pulitzer prize of Columbia Univer- 
sity for the best volume of poetry. 

Augustus Thomas, one of Missouri's best playwrights, 
was born in St. Louis in 1859 and educated in the St. Louis 
public schools. For a time he was editor and proprietor of 
the "Kansas City Mirror." Among his dramas are: "Ala- 
bama," "Arizona," "The Witching Hour," "The Meddler," 
"The Man Up Stairs" and "The Other Girl." 

Mention should be made of J. Breckenridge Ellis, novel- 
ist; Fannie Hurst, play writer and novelist; Floyd C. Shoe- 
maker and Louis P. Houck, writers of Missouri history; 
George Creel, magazine writer; and Walter Williams, 
journalist. 



MISSOURI WRITERS 247 

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER VH 

1. Name some Missouri writers of the third period. 

2. What was Mark Twain's real name? 

3. Give a sketch of Mark Twain's early hfe? 

4. What vocations did Mark Twain follow before he became a writer? 
What story made him famous? 

5. Name some of Mark Twain's best known works. 

6. Where did Eugene Field get his education? What kind of student was 
he? 

7. Where did Eugene Field work? What kind of poetry did he write? 
What is his best known poem? 

8. Why may Harold Bell Wright be classed as a Missouri writer? 

9. Name five other Missouri writers. 



CHAPTER VIII 

MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS 

Importance of the Press. Even before Missouri became 
a state the newspaper had become an important factor in the 
social, economic, and poHtical life of the people. As the 
State developed, the press became more important, especially 
in the field of politics. Newspapers served the political 
parties much as standing committees do to-day. But in the 
last period of the history of the State the press has come to 
stand second only to public education in its importance in 
developing the ideals and moulding the lives of the citizens 
of Missouri. Without the press the co-operative work of 
society, which is the chief characteristic of the period, would 
be impossible. On the other hand, the metropolitan press 
of the State is one of the best examples of co-operative 
effort in doing work which is of vital importance to a modern 

state. 

In a state where practically every one can read, the press 
becomes important as a guide to the people in the every day 
affairs of life. That most people depend upon the newspaper 
for political information and many times for political opinion 
is a well known fact. The teacher reads his professional 
journal and gets inspiration and suggestions for his class 
room duties. The farmer reads his agricultural journal and 
frequently plans his work in accordance with ideas found in 
his paper. The trader receives his daily bulletin of price 
lists. The doctor keeps informed of new developments in 

248 



MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS 



249 



his profession by means of his medical journal, and leaders 
In our churches insist upon the membership taking the 
church papers. Twenty people, it has been said, read a 
paper where one hears a lecture or a sermon. As our civiliza- 
tion becomes more complex the press becomes more neces- 
sary to the very existence of modern society. 

Early Missouri Newspapers. The first newspaper pub- 
lished in Missouri was the Missouri Gazette. The Gazette 
was established in 1808 by Joseph Charless.^ It started 
with 174 subscribers. The number gradually increased 
until It had reached one thousand by 1820. The first Issue 
was printed upon foolscap paper twelve and one-half Inches 
by seven and three-fourths inches. The third number had 
four pages, three columns to the page in small pica type. 
Mr. Charless frequently had great difficulty In obtaining 
paper. Occasionally the Gazette failed to appear for several 
weeks at a time because the paper which had to be brought 
from Lexington, Kentucky could not be obtained. Charless 
was aggressive and outspoken and a strong supporter of the 
administrations of Jefferson and Madison. He got Into a 
controversy with certain leading citizens of St. Louis which 
led to two personal conflicts. The enemJes of Charless then 
raised ^1,000 to establish a paper In opposition to the 
Gazette. The paper was started as the Western Journal 

^ Joseph Charless was born in Ireland, July 16, 1772. Having been 
implicated in the Irish rebellion of 1795 he fled to France and soon made 
his way to the United States. He settled in Philadelphia in 1796 and 
being a printer by trade, secured a position with Mathew Carey, who at 
that time was the leading publisher of the city. In 1808 he moved to St. 
Louis where he established the first newspaper west of the Mississippi. 
Having sold the Gazette in 1820, he later engaged in the drug business. 
He died at his home in St. Louis in 1834. 



250 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

in May, 1815. It was changed to the Western Emigrant in 
1 8 17, and in 18 19 it became the St. Louis Enquirer with 
Thomas H. Benton as editor. 

The first paper west of St. Louis was the IntelHgencer 
established at Old Franklin in 1819. The paper consisted 
of four pages, each twelve by eighteen inches, five columns 
to the page. The publishers were Benjamin Holiday and 
Nathaniel Patten. Patten was a printer by trade and be- 
came editor. The intelligencer was published at Old Frank- 
lin until 1826 when Patten, who had become sole owner, 
moved it to Fayette. In 1830 Patten moved the Intelligen- 
cer to Columbia where he published it until 1835. ^ group 
of Whig politicians bought the paper and changed its name 
to the Patriot. The paper was published as the Patriot 
until 1843 when William F. Switzler bought it and changed 
the name to the Statesman. Under the editorial manage- 
ment of Mr. Switzler, the Statesman became one of the best 
weekly newspapers in the State. The Gazette and the 
Intelligencer were the two most notable early newspapers of 
Missouri. Soon other papers were established and the 
number increased rapidly. In 1839 there were twenty-five 
papers published in the State. The number had increased to 
fifty-four in 1850; to 162 in i860; and to 251 in 1870. 

The editors of early Missouri newspapers had many 
trials and hardships. Paper and supplies had to be brought 
long distances, and transportation was very irregular. The 
mails were uncertain and frequently the editors complained 
of lack of news because the mail had not arrived. News- 
paper quarrels were frequent and the editors were often 
challenged to a duel or were attacked. Subscriptions were 
hard to collect. Financial embarrassment was frequent. 



MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS 251 

Political enemies were always on the alert to make editors 
trouble.- Many papers were started but failed to receive 
sufficient support to enable them to continue publication. 

The Republic. Although the Republic has ceased to 
exist, it is of sufficient importance historically to entitle it 
to a separate paragraph in an account of Missouri news- 
papers. It was the first paper established west of the 
Mississippi and was published continuously in St. Louis 
until it was purchased by the Globe Printing Company in 
1919. There is a complete file of the Republic, from 1808 
until its publication ceased in 1919, in the library of the 
Missouri State Historical Society, Jefferson Memorial 
Building, St. Louis. These files constitute the most valuable 
single source on Missouri history in existence. 

The paper was established as the Missouri Gazette by 
Joseph Charless, July 12, 1808. James C. Cummins bought 
the Gazette in 1820 but after two years sold it to Edward 
Charless, son of Joseph Charless, who changed the name to 
Missouri Republican. Nathaniel Paschall in 1828 became 
associated with Edward Charless as owner and editor. 
Charless and Paschall published the paper until 1 837. From 

2 A good example of political activity against newspapers is the action 
of the "Hards" against the Boonville Register in 1844. The Democratic 
party in the State had split into two factions, the "Hards" and the 
"Softs." The Boonville Register was the most influential "Soft" paper 
in the State, outside of St. Louis. Dr. Penn, of Saline County, a leading 
"Hard" politician, found that the editor of the Register owed a note, then 
past due, secured by a mortgage on his press. The first week in January 
Dr. Penn bought that note and forced the editor to cease the publication 
of the Register until after the Democratic State convention which met 
the first week in April. In the meantime the contest for the control of the 
party had been won by the "Hards." After the convention the editor 
of the Register was allowed to resume publication. 



252 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 




George K.napp 

the ninth of April, 1833 it was issued twice each week. The 
first number of the daily Republican made its appearance 
September 20, 1836. The subscription price of the daily- 
was ten dollars. The publication of the weekly and the 
semi-weekly was continued, the former at three dollars and 
the latter at five dollars a year. In 1837 Charless and Pas- 
chall sold the Republican to A. B. Chambers, Oliver Harris, 
and George Knapp.^ Harris soon sold his interest to Cham- 

^ George Knapp was born in Montgomery, New York, September 25", 
18 14. His father moved to St. Louis in 1820. When George was twelve 



MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS 2^3 

bers and Knapp who owned and published the paper until 
the death of Mr. Chambers in 1854, when Nathaniel Pas- 
chall,'* who had again become connected with the paper as 
associate editor, became editor-in-chief. The next year 
George Knapp admitted his brother John Knapp and Mr. 
Paschall to an interest in the business and the firm became 
George Knapp and Company. Mr. Paschall continued to 
direct the columns of the Republican until his death in 
1866 when William Hyde/ who had been on the editorial 
staff for ten years, became editor. The Republican was a 

years of age he was apprenticed to Edward Charless to learn the trade of 
printer. From 1827 to 1837 George Knapp worked on the Republican 
force. In the latter year he bought the paper taking as his partners 
A. B. Chambers and Oliver Harris. Harris soon sold his part to Knapp 
and Chambers who owned and published the Republican until Chamber's 
death in i8£;4, when George Knapp became sole owner. He soon admitted 
his brother John Knapp and Nathaniel Paschall to an interest in the paper 
and the firm was known as George Knapp and Company. In 1877 the 
St. Louis Merchants Exchange celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Mr. 
Knapp's entrance into the Republican office and placed his portrait in 
their hall. 

Mr. Knapp's connection with the Republican began when St. Louis 
was a town of about 5,000 and he was owner ot the paper before the popu- 
lation was 15,000. He directed its policy until the city could boast of 
nearly 500,000 inhabitants. Probably no man exerted a greater influence 
in changing St. Louis fiom a small town to a great metropolitan city than 
George Knapp. His paper was always a powerful force for improvement 
and progress. 

4 Nathaniel Paschall was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 4, 1802. 
His father came to St. Louis in 18 14 and apprenticed Nathaniel to Joseph 
Charless to learn the printer's trade. He worked faithfully, studied hard, 
and soon began writing articles for the Gazette. He became part owner 
of the Republican in 1828 but sold his interest in 1837. He accepted a 
position as associate editor in 1844 ^^id became editor in 1854, and held the 
position till his death in 1866. 

5 William Hyde was born in Rochester, New York in 1836. He taught 
school, came west and studied law, and soon became a newspaper corre- 



254 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



/ 



/ 





Nathaniel Paschall 

Whig paper until 1856 when it became Democratic. Its 
name was later changed from Republican to the Republic 
to keep people from thinking it was a Republican paper. 

The Globe-Democrat. The history of the Globe- 
Democrat can be traced back to the Workingman's Advo- 
cate which was established in 183 1. It soon became the 

spondent and editor. In 1857 he accepted a position with the RepubHcan 
and became editor of the paper upon the death of Mr. Paschall in 1866. 
He proved himself to be a worthy successor of Nathaniel Paschall and 
soon took rank among the leading editors ot the nation. 



MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS 255 

Argus and was purchased in 1840 by Shadrick Penn who 
changed its name to the Reporter. Upon the death of Mr. 
Penn in 1846 the Reporter became the Union. The Union 
was purchased by William McKee, editor of the Signal, in 
1853. The Signal, which had been established in 1849, was 
now merged with the Union and the Missouri Democrat, a 
Benton paper which had been established in 1852, and 
became the Democrat. Frank P. Blair was its chief editor. 
His principal associates and successors were B. Gratz 
Brown and W. S. McKee. The Democrat became a Repub- 
lican paper between 1856 and i860. Blair and Brown 
severed their connection with the paper in 1865 and it 
became the property of W. S. McKee, George W. Fishback 
and Daniel M. Houser, the firm name being McKee, Fish- 
back & Co. In 1872 Mr. Fishback became dissatisfied 
with the management of the Democrat and forced the sale 
of the paper through a receivership. He bought it at 
1464,100. Messers McKee and Houser immediately estab- 
lished the Globe, which soon became a strong competitor of 
the Democrat. Both papers were Republican in politics 
and it soon became apparent that one must fail unless 
their interests were united. The contest was ended by 
McKee and Houser buying the Democrat for ^325,000. 
The two papers were consolidated and took the name Globe- 
Democrat. J. B. McCullagh,^ managing editor of the Globe, 

6 J. B. McCuUagh was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1842. He came to 
New York in 1853 and was apprenticed in a newspaper office for five 
years. At the end of his apprenticeship he came to St. Louis. He became 
a reporter on the Democrat in 1859. He was one of the most daring and 
successful war correspondents during the Civil War. It was McCullagh 
who initiated the practice of interviewing. In 1868 he became editor of 
the Cincinnati Enquirer. Two years later he resigned to found the 
Chicago Republican. The next year he lost everything in the great fire. 



256 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

became editor and directed the publication of the paper until 
his death in 1896. The Globe-Democrat soon became one 
of the leading newspapers of the nation. The owners 
organized a corporation under the name Globe Printing 
Company. In 191 9 the Globe Printing Company purchased 
the Republic. There was no consolidation. The Republic 
ceased to exist and its subscribers received the Globe- 
Democrat instead. In 1917 the daily circulation of the 
Republic was 107,168 while that of the Globe-Democrat 
was 151 ,908. In 1 920 the circulation of the Globe-Democrat 
was as follows: daily 198,983, semi-weekly 226,401, Sunday 
189,447. 

The Post-Dispatch. The Post-Dispatch was the first 
successful St. Louis evening paper. The St. Louis Evening 
Gazette was established in 1 838. After a great many changes 
in both ownership and name the paper, then called the 
Dispatch, passed into the hands of a receiver. It was sold to 
Joseph Pulitzer^ for $2,500, December 10, 1878. He con- 
He immediately returned to St. Louis and secured a position as editor of 
the Democrat. He resigned that position to accept the editorial manage- 
ment of the Globe in 1873. Upon the consolidation of the Globe and the 
Democrat he became the editor of the Globe-Democrat. When he 
assumed editorial management of the Globe-Democrat the paper was 
^2oOjOOO in debt and there were eight morning dailies in St. Louis. In 
three years the Globe-Democrat paid off the debt and accumulated a 
reserve of ^90,000. "To McCullagh the Globe-Democrat became home, 
family, recreation, as well as work. A clocklike routine governed the 
physical to the neglect of the laws of health." He achieved his ambition 
and lived to see the Globe-Democrat a great newspaper, but he died at 
fifty-four years of age when he should have been in his prime. 

'Joseph Pulitzer was born in Vienna, Austria; fought when quite 
young in the Schleswig-Holstein war; came to New York in 1864; and 
enlisted in the Union army on the day of his arrival. After the war he 
came to St. Louis where he was successively a hostler, fireman on a ferry- 



MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS 257 

solldated It with the Evening Post, and the new paper took 
the name, Post-Dispatch. Joseph PuHtzer proved to be a 
brilliant and successful journalist. The circulation was 3,160 
when Pulitzer first issued the paper as the Post-Dispatch. 
Within two years and a half the circulation had passed 
20,000 and the paper was an assured success. Pulitzer 
was fearless and became the founder of what is known as yel- 
low journalism. During the first three years of its existence 
the Post-Dispatch was the defendant in seventeen libel suits 
aggregating damage claims to the amount of $250,000. It 
lost but one suit, and the damage assessed was fifty dollars. 
The Post-Dispatch has continued to prosper and in 1917 it 
had a week day circulation of 187,427 and a Sunday circula- 
tion of 364,894. 

boat, laborer on the levee, and sexton. He had received a classical educa- 
tion in Austria and his chief efforts were now directed towards acquiring a 
thorough knowledge of the English language. He attracted the attention 
of Carl Schurz and was offered a position on the Westliche-Post of which 
Schurz was at that time editor. Pulitzer proved to be an excellent writer 
and in six years was editor and part owner of the paper. He sold his inter- 
est and retired from the Westliche-Post in 1872. He was very active In 
the Liberal-Republican movement; framed the call for the national con- 
vention of Liberal-Republicans; and made speeches in New York City 
during the campaign. It was during this campaign that Pulitzer first 
met Manton Marble, editor of the New York World, and became inter- 
ested in that paper which was continually losing money for its owners. 
Mr. Pulitzer was elected to the Missouri legislature in 1869, was ap- 
pointed police commissioner for St. Louis in 1870 and was elected a 
delegate to the constitutional convention of 1875. T^^^ provision of the 
constitution uniting the city and county government of St Louis and 
giving the city rank as a county was Pulitzer's scheme. In 1883] after 
owning and editing the Post-Dispatch for a little more than three years 
Pulitzer bought the New York World, which at that time had less than 
10,000 circulation. He made it one of the greatest papers in the country; 
amassed a great fortune and remained editor until his death, a period of 
nearly thirty years. 



258 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The Kansas City Star. The Kansas City Star was 
established by William R. Nelson^ in 1880. It has grown 
to be one of Missouri's greatest newspapers. When it first 
appeared it was an evening paper and was nicknamed the 
''Twilight Twinkler." It was a paper of four small pages 
and sold for two cents or ten cents a week delivered by 
carrier, while other papers were selling at five cents. The 
Star was soon enlarged, but the price remained ten cents a 
week. In 1894 the Sunday edition was added without in- 
crease of price, and in 1901 the Kansas City Times was 
purchased by Mr. Nelson and issued as a morning edition 
without extra charge. The subscribers to the Star were now 
receiving thirteen papers each week delivered by carrier 
for ten cents. This feat has never been equaled in the his- 
tory of American journalism. In 1890 Mr, Nelson estab- 
lished the weekly Kansas City Star. It was an eight page 
paper for farmers and was sold for twenty-five cents a year. 
It now (1920) has a circulation of nearly 350,000. January 
I, 1 91 8, President H. J. Waters, of the Kansas State 
Agricultural College and one of the best known educators 
in the field of agriculture in the United States, was employed 
as editor. Mr. Nelson was the first man to issue a complete 
farmer's weekly for twenty-five cents a year. 

Lee in his History of American Journalism says, "Wil- 
liam Rockhill Nelson was one of the most picturesque 

8 William Rockhill Nelson was born in Indiana, March 7, 1841. He 
decided to become a lawyer and was admitted to the bar before he was 
twenty-one, but he never practiced law. He tried raising cotton in 
Georgia but failed. He then went back to Indiana and began building 
roads, bridges, and buildings. He soon became a successful contractor. 
Finally he bought a Fort Wayne newspaper, and found his calling. He 
decided to find a better location for his paper and after a thorough investi- 
gation selected Kansas City. His biography from that time on is a history 
of the Star. He died April 13, 1916. 



MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS 261 

towns. The country newspaper reaches only a few hundred 
subscribers, but its influence is frequently very great. 
Usually the readers of a country newspaper are personally 
acquainted with the editor, and the editorial column carries 
greater weight than would the writing of a stranger. Many 
of Missouri's greatest editors were country editors. Many of 
Missouri's country papers contain interesting articles on 
Missouri history and biography, literature, and current 
topics. They are to their readers frequently newspaper 
and magazine combined. They are now collected, bound 
and kept by the State Historical Society of Missouri in its 
fire proof library building at Columbia. They form a very 
valuable source for Missouri history. 

Missouri's Contribution. Missouri has contributed 
much to the development of journalism in America. In 
1914 there were 1004 periodicals published in the State. 
Their total circulation reached the enormous figure of 
9,098,333. Probably no other state except New York has 
produced six newspaper men in the past one hundred years 
that will rank with Nathaniel Paschall, George Knapp, 
William Hyde, J. B. McCullagh, Joseph Pulitzer, and 
William R. Nelson. Missouri gave to America the first 
School of Journalism. This school was established in Colum- 
bia, July I, 1908. This was the first school of its kind in the 
United States and it is also the largest. The Missouri 
School of Journalism was founded for the purpose of training 
men and women in practical journalism. During the first 
ten years of its existence it graduated one hundred and 
eighty persons and gave instruction to more than one 
thousand who did not graduate. Many other universities 
have followed the example of the University of Missouri in 



o62 HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

establishing schools of journalism, while hundreds of colleges, 
normal schools, and high schools have established courses 
in journalism in connection with the instruction in English. 
Many school and college papers are now edited by classes in 
journalism. The influence of Missouri's School of Journa- 
lism has been felt throughout the United States and in for- 
eign countries. Its graduates have edited papers in many 
states of the Union, in Canada, Hawaiian Islands, Australia, 
China, and Japan. 

Questions 

1. Name some of the ways in which newspapers have aided in the devel- 
opment of the State. 

2. What were the two most prominent early Missouri newspapers? 
Who was the first editor of each? 

3. How many newspapers were there in Missouri in 1839? 1850? 1860? 
1870? 

4. Give a sketch of the history of the Republic. 

5. Sketch the history of the Globe-Democrat. 

6. What new type of joumaUsm was introduced by the editor of the Post- 
Dispatch? 

7. Who established the Kansas City Star? When? 

8. What new records were made in journalism by the Kansas City Star? 

9. What is meant by the quotation from Collier's Weekly concerning Mr. 
Nelson? 

10. Name the important city dailies of the State. 

11. How many daily papers are published in Missouri? 

12. How many weekly papers are published in Missouri? 

13. How many periodicals of all kinds are published in the State? What 
is their total circulation? 

14. Where are most of the weekly papers published? 

15. Name six of Missouri's great newspaper mea. 

16. How has Missouri led in journalism? 



THE INDEX 



Academies, 122 
Adams, John Quincy, 50, 52 
Allen, Chas. H., 85 
American Fur Co., 64 
Amendments to the Drake Consti- 
tution, 144 
Arsenal at St. Louis, 146 
Ashley, Wm. H., 47, 50, 54, 57, 62 
Assessed valuation, 165 
Associations, voluntary, 78 
Atchison, David R., 89, 93, 129 
Austin, Moses, 10 
Australian ballot law, 177 

Bank excitement, 84 

Bank of Missouri, 109 

Barclay, John, 231 

Barnett, David, 86 

Barton, David, 38, 40, 45, 48, 52. 

Bates, Edward, 39, 45, 47, 48, 52, 
217 

Bates, Frederick, 46, 50, 51 

Becknell, William, 64 

Bell, Major, 147 

Benton, Thomas H., 45, 46, 49, 
52, 65, 68, 83, 84, 88, 90, 91, 
93, 94, 106, 125, 241, 250. 

Benton-Lucas duel, 25 

Benton's Appeal, 89 

Benton's defeat, 91 

Biddle, William, 53 

Black Hawk war, 70 

Blair, Frank P., Sr., 95 



Blair, Frank P., Jr., 132, 137, 142. 

147, 151, 170 
Bland, Richard P., 32 
Boatman's Saving Institution, 1 10 
Boggs, Lillian W., 54, 57, 103, 1 1 5 
Boone, Daniel, 7 
Boone, Daniel Morgan, 48 
Boone, Jesse, 48 
Boon's Lick, 22 
Boonville, Battle of, 153 
Bond, The, 187, 189 
Bourgmont, Captain, 3 
Boundaries, proposed, 35, 37 
Brown, B. Gratz, 31, 94, 143, 168 
Brown, John, 130 
Buckner, Alexander, 53, 5<; 
Bull, Dr. John, 55 

California overland train, 126 
Calloway, Captain James, 23 
Camp Jackson, 149 
Cannon, Franklin, ^~ 
Cape Girardeau district, 10 
Carson, Christopher (Kit), 125 
Carthage, Battle of, 154 
Centennial Exposition, 180 
Central Clique, 83 
Census of De Lassus, 1 1 
Charless, Joseph, 46, 72, 249 
Child Hygiene, Division of, 201 
Chouteau, Auguste, 4, 49 
Chouteau, Pierre, 45 
Churches, 25, 72,123 



162 



264 



THE INDEX 



Churchill, Winston, 246 

Cities, Growth of, 119 

Clark, William, 17, 19, 45, 69, 112 

Clark, George Rogers, 39 

Clark, General Harvey C, 225 

Clay, Henry, 41, 50 

Clemens, Samuel L., 241 

Committee of seventy, 139 

Conant, Major, 151 

Constitutional Convention, 57 

Constitution of 1875, ^^^ 

Convention of 1861, 132 

Colleges, 123 

Cockrell, Senator F. M., 171, 172 

Constitutional Convention of 1865, 

140 
Co-operative work, 165, 193 
Cook, John D., 45 
Cooper, Captain Sarshell, 23 
Counties, 61, 118 
Creel, George, 237, 246 
Crittenden, Thomas T., 172, 174 
Crowder, General Enoch H., 234 

Darby, John F., 103, 217 
Davis, William A., 119 
De Lassus, Governor, 16 
Democratic party in 1874, 170 
De Soto, I 

Dockery, Alexander M., 179 
Dodge, Henry, 39, 55 
Doniphan, Colonel, 93, 124 
Doniphan's Expedition, 125 
Drake, Chas. D., 170 
Dunklin, Daniel, 54, 55 
Du Tisne, 2 

Education, 78, 120, 122, 123 
Educational institutions, 195 
Edwards, John C, 85 
Eleemosynary institutions, 196 



Eighty-ninth division, 228 
Election of 1828, 52; 1830, 53; 1832, 

54; 1836,57; 1840,81; 1844,84; 

1848, 86; 1850, 90; 1852, 92; 

1854, 93; 1856, 94; i860, 96, 97 
Ellis, J. Breckenridge, 246 
Emancipation, 136, 137 
Ewing, General Thomas, 130 
Explorations, 2 

Farm Bureau, 213 

Farmers' Exchange Association, 

Farmers' Alliance, 177 
Federation of Commercial Clubs, 

214 
Ferguson, G. W., 45 
Field, Eugene, 243 
Fletcher, Thomas C, 140 
Folk, Joseph W., 180 
Fort Mandan, 17 
Fort Orleans, 3 
Francis, David R., 176, 237 
Fraternal orders, 72 
Free Silver movement, 32, 177 
Freemont, John C, 94, 127, 136, 

156 
French exploration, i 
French settlements, 4 
Frontier line, 31 
Fur trade, 62 

Gazette, The, 21, 25 
Gamble, Hamilton R., 134, 138 
Gardner, Frederick D., 182, 237, 

General Assembly, First, 47 
General Assembly, Twenty-first, 

131 
Gentry, Colonel Richard, 71 
Geyer, Henry S., 45, 91 



THE INDEX 



265 



Globe-Democrat, 25, 254 
Grasshopper banquet, 171 
Gratiot, Charles, 14 
Green, Duff, 39, 40 
Groseilliers, i 
Guerilla warfare, 160 

Hadley, Herbert S., 181 
Hardeman's garden, 22 
Hardin, Charles H., 171 
Hards and Sotts, 84 
Harrison, William Henry, 16 
Hedrick, Granville, 116 
Hiller, J. C. S., 207 
Holiday, Benjamin, 250 
Houck, Louis P., 246 
Houston, David E., 237 
Howard, Benjamin, 18, 19 
Hospitals for the insane, 167 
Hughes, General Andrew, 112 
Hurst, Fannie, 246 
Hyde, William, 97, 253, 261 

Immigration, 7 
Indians, 23, 69 
Industrial Home for Girls, 198 

Jackson, General Andrew, 49, 50 
Jackson, C. F., 87, 96,97, 132, 147, 

Jackson, Hancock, 95 
Jackson Resolutions, 87, 94 
Jefferson, Thomas, 19 
Jefferson City occupied, 1 j;3 
Joliet, 2 

Jones, John Rice, 39, 45 
Joplin Globe, 260 

Kansas border troubles, 128 
Kansas City, 1 19 
Kansas City Journal, 260 



Kansas City Post, 260 
Kansas City Star, 258 
Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 94, 129 
Kearney, General, 124 
King, A. A., 87, 104 
Knapp, George, 252, 261 

Lacaff, Theo., 207 

Laclede, 5 

Land Reclamation Department, 

205 
Lane, Jmi, 130 
Lane, William Carr, 52, 62 
Latter Day Saints, 116 
La Salle, 2 

League of Women Voters, 222 
Leduc, M. P., 45, 49 
Le Sieur, Frances and Joseph, 1 1 
Lewis, Merriweather, 17 
Liberal-Republican Party, 31, 142, 

169 
Lykins, Mrs. Mattie, 106 
Lincoln, President, 31 
Lincoln's reply to the Committee ot 

seventy, 139 
Linn, Lewis F., 55 
Little Boy Blue, 244 
Local option law, 176 
Logan, James, 48 
Lorimer, 10 
Louisiana, 29 
Lucas, J. B. C, 49 
Lyon, Nathaniel, 148, 151, 156 

Major, Elliot W., 182 
Majority rule, 189 
Map of Missouri in 1821, 59 
Map of Missouri in 1830, 60 
Map of Missouri in 1837, 117 
Mark Twain, 241 
Marmaduke, M. M., 85 



266 



THE INDEX 



Marmaduke, John S., 172, 175 
Marquette, 2 
McGirk, Mathias, 45, 48 
McClurg, Joseph W., 142 
McCullagh, J. B., 255, 261 
MiHtia Bill, 132 
Miller, John, 51 
Minute Men of St. Louis, 149 
Missouri a Doubtful State, 180 
Missouri and the West, 124 
Missouri Compromise, First, 38 
Missouri Compromise, Second, 42 
Missouri Democracy, Split in, 84 
Missouri Farmers' Association, 213 
Missouri Historical Society, 217 
Missouri Press Association, 217 
Missouri's War Record, 223, 224 
Morgan, Colonel, 1 1 
Mormons, 1 13 
Mule Raising Industry, 67 
Mulligan, Col., 158 

Nelson, William R., 258, 259, 261 
New Counties, 61, 117 
New Madrid District, 10 
New Madrid Earthquake, 24 
News Herald, Joplin, 260 
Neutrality, 151 

Organized Labor, 214 
Orleans, Territory of, 18 
Orr, Sample, 97 

Paschall, Nathaniel, 251, 261 

Patten, Nathaniel, 250 

Penal Institutions, 197 

People's Party, 178 

Pershing, General John J., 226, 234 

Petitions for Statehood, 3^; 

Pettis, William G., 39 

Pettis, Spencer, 52, 53 



Phelps, John S., 142, 172 
Pioneer Life, 5, 9, 73 
Platte Purchase, 76 
Polk, Trusten, 95 
Poole, J. Kelley, 207 
Population, 11, 61, 76, 116, 164 
Portage Des Sioux, 8 
Price, Sterling, 92, 124, 134, 151, 154 
Price-Harney agreement, 150 
Price's Raid, 159 
Provisional Government, 134 
Public Service Commission, 203 
Pulitzer, Joseph, 256, 261 

Radical Convention of 1864, 138 
Radisson, i 

Railroads, 77, 102, 103, 174 
Railroad Convention at St. Louis, 

104 
Railroad Disaster, 105 
Railroads, State operation of, 107 
Reconstruction Government, 161 
Recruiting raids, 160 
Rector, William, 45, 54 
Red Cross, 215 
Reeves, Benjamin, 50, 51, 65 
Reform School for boys, 198 
Religion, 123 
Republic, The, 25, 251 
Resolution Calling Constitutional 

Convention of 1875, ^^5 
Reynolds, Thomas, 83 
Rocky Mountain Fur Company, 62 
Rollins, James S., 87, 122 
Rule of the Civil W^ar Veteran, 172 
Rule of the Young Democracy, 176 

Sante Fe Trade, 64 

Schools and Colleges, 78 

School Lands, 71 

Schools, Churches, and Lodges, 71 



THE INDEX 



267 



School Book Commission, 177 

School Funds, 121 

School of Journalism, 218, 261 

Scott, John C, 50, 52 

Sedalia, 1 19 

Seminole War, 70 

Settlements, 2, 5, 6 

Shoemaker, Floyd C, 246 

Schurtz, Carl, 143, 172 

Sibley, George C, 65 

Slavery, 86, 127 

Smith, Jedediah, 6^ 

Smith, Joseph S., 113, 115 

Smith, George R., 119 

Sneed, Thomas L., 151 

Solemn Public Act, 43 

Spanish American War, 179 

Spanish Explorations, I 

Speer, A. A., 207 

Springfield, 1 19 

Springfield Republican, 260 

Springfield Leader, 260 

St. Charles, 8 

Ste. Genevieve, 4 

St. Louis, 4, 100, 119 

St. Louis District, 8 

St. Joseph Gazette, 260 

St. News, 260 

State Agricultural Association, 212 

State Board of Agriculture, 202 

State Boards and Commissions, 198 

State Board of Health, 199 

State Capitol Commission, 206 

State Highway Board, 205 

State Historical Society, 205 

State Institutions, 166, 194 

State Medical Association, 218 

State Tax Commission, 202 

State Teacher's Association, 211 

Steam Boat, 25, 68, 69, 70, 100 

State Fair, 202 



State Hospital, 197 
Stephens, E. W., 207 
Stephens, Lon. V., 179 
Stewart, R. M., 92, 95, 131 
Stoddard, Captain Amos, 16 
Stone, Wm. J., 177 
Street Car, First, 120 
Stringfellow, B. F., 91 
Strothers, George, 50 
Switzler, Wm. F., 241, 250 

Talmadge Amendment, 36 
Taussig, Joseph K., 237 
Taverns, Missouri, 72 
Taxation, Limitation of, 166, 190 
Teachers' Colleges, 166, 196 
Teasdale, Sara, 246 
Test Oath for Voters, First, 135 
Thirty-fifth Division, 226 
Thomas, Augustus, 246 
Thompson, John, 48 
Trappers' Rendezvous, 63 
Tuberculosis Association, 215 

University, 123, 195 

Vest, George G., 172 
Vital Statistics, 199, 200 
Vrooman, Carl, 237 

Walsh, Robert, 50 
Watson, Robert G., 48 
Wells, Carty, 89 
Western Engineer, The, 26 
White, John B., 48 
Wild Cat Money, 67 
Wilkenson, General Jas., 17 
Williams, Walter, 246 
Williams, Abraham J., 51 



268 



THE INDEX 



Wilson Creek, Battle of, 157 
Winston, James, 93 
Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union, 219 



Woman's Suffrage Organizations, 

220 
Woodson, Silas, 169 
Wright, Harold Bell, 245 



